Little opposition expected over Moapa water claims

Friday, Feb. 1, 2002 | 9:45 a.m.

Applications to use ground water in Moapa Valley for a proposed power plant aren't likely to face vigorous opposition Tuesday.

State Engineer Hugh Ricci will conduct a hearing on the package of six applications filed by PG&E National Energy Group. The company seeks 4,550 acre-feet of water for a new 1,200 megawatt, natural-gas powered generator in the valley, about 40 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

The company is working with the Moapa Valley Water District to claim, drill and secure the water rights.

One acre-foot of water equals about 326,000 gallons, or enough water for a typical family for a year. One megawatt is enough power for about 500 homes in Las Vegas during the summer.

A handful of local agencies had filed protests to the company's water claim.

Van Robinson, general manager of the Moapa Valley Water District, said the issues have been ironed out. The district and the company will monitor the effect the water draw-down has on the nearby Muddy River and alluvial soils in the area, he said.

The Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service had expressed concern about the impact the water use may have.

"It looks like we have worked out some stipulations," Robinson said. "We're trying to get signatures on those documents as we speak."

Jackie Gratton, BLM project manager for new power plants north of Las Vegas, said her agency files protests to give the BLM legal standing on an issue, but that doesn't mean the federal government will actively oppose the project.

In May 2001 the BLM received an executive order from the new Bush administration asking agencies to expedite approval of new power plants. The move was a reaction to the power shortage that struck California and Nevada and caused blackouts in both states.

The Southern Nevada Water Authority also has standing in the applications for water use. J.C. Davis, an authority spokesman, said the protest helped his agency receive technical information related to the water use.

The protest "did not denote opposition," he said.

Eric Eisenman, PG&E National Energy Group spokesman, said the company is going forward with the permitting process, which would include a full environmental impact statement.

Construction could begin later this year "if market conditions are right," he said. The plant could come on line in Summer 2004.

Eisenman said the company is donating the wells and water system to the Moapa Valley Water District "for the future use of people in the area."

Robinson and Eisenman said the water system would allow for future population growth in Moapa Valley.

The power plant is one of about a dozen slated for Southern Nevada over the coming half-decade. Calpine Corp. plans a similarly sized plant on the nearby Moapa Paiute reservation.

The PG&E National Energy Group and Calpine plants, like most of the others, would be "merchant" power plants, selling power on the open market to the highest bidder. 03