Washington, D.C./Chanceford Township, Pa. – Today, November 21, 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) granted York Energy Storage a preliminary permit to study the construction of a pumped storage facility at Cuffs Run along the Susquehanna River in York County. Lancaster Conservancy opposes this project, which would take about 1,100 acres of land from property owners and flood 580 acres along the Susquehanna River rich with natural, cultural, and recreational resources.
“The decision today by FERC to grant York Energy Storage a preliminary permit to study a pumped storage project at Cuffs Run is disappointing and disregards the valid concerns and strong objections raised by so many community members, businesses, and organizations,” said Fritz Schroeder, Lancaster Conservancy’s President and CEO. “We will continue to organize and oppose this project that would have a profoundly negative impact on our community, the Susquehanna River, and the natural landscape we have fought so hard to protect. This is not the future we want to leave the next generation – trading our forested river hills for concrete and destruction.”
Cuffs Run (Photo by Hylon Plumb)
Mason-Dixon Trail near Cuffs Run (Photo by Hylon Plumb)The $2.3 billion project, proposed by York Energy Storage LLC, would involve construction of a 1.8-mile dam and power turbine pumped storage facility at Cuffs Run ravine and creek, a tributary to the Susquehanna River. The proposed facility would displace over 40 residents and destroy preserved farms and forested lands that are critical to ensuring the ecological health of the Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape and waterways. Additionally, it would impact a scenic section of the Mason-Dixon Trail, a designated National Recreation Trail in York County; the viewshed from the popular multimodal Enola Low Grade Trail in Lancaster County; and the lower section of the Susquehanna River Water Trail, which is part of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.
York Energy Storage initially requested a permit for the project on Feb. 10, 2023. Following a series of deficiency letters from FERC, a rejection of its original application and a permit resubmission by York Energy Storage, FERC accepted the preliminary permit application for filing on Feb. 1, 2024. This started the clock on a 60-day period to file comments or interventions with FERC on the project, during which time the Conservancy and a coalition of conservation, recreation, and environmental organizations filed a formal legal pleading strongly opposing the pumped storage facility proposed for Cuffs Run. This pleading explained several different reasons why FERC should deny the application for a preliminary permit. On April 1, 2024, Brookfield Renewable, who manages the Safe Harbor and Holtwood dams, also filed a legal pleading asking that the preliminary permit be denied.
Now that FERC has granted a preliminary permit for the pumped storage project at Cuffs Run, York Energy Storage will have at least four years to raise an estimated $12.5 million and complete multiple studies about the project. FERC and the Federal Courts have a long-standing process in place for challenging decisions such as this grant of a preliminary permit. In the coming days, the Conservancy will be reviewing FERC’s order at length and will determine how best to proceed in opposing this decision to grant a preliminary permit.
“While we are confused as to how FERC could find York Energy fit to hold a permit, grant a fourth consecutive preliminary permit application for the very same project, and yet again place such a substantial burden on the region, we remain committed to this fight long term,” said Schroeder. “We are grateful to the many individuals, businesses, and elected officials who have joined us in our opposition and will continue to organize with our partners and share resources with the community on how they can fight this destructive project in the weeks and months ahead.”
Learn more by visiting lancasterconservancy.org/protect-cuffs-run.
Cuffs Run enters the Susquehanna River between two hills. This area would be impacted by the proposed pumped storage facility. (Photo by Avery Van Etten)Lancaster Conservancy, a nonprofit land trust, has protected over 10,000 acres of natural lands in its 55-year history, including over 700 additional acres protected or placed under agreement in 2024. The Conservancy’s 50 nature preserves in Lancaster and York counties protect wildlife habitat and clean water, and they support access to nature for everyone with more than 60 miles of trails to explore.
Learn more, volunteer, join an event, or donate to the Conservancy at lancasterconservancy.org.
