Energy companies backing off pursuit of Gregory County Pump Storage Project

MidAmerican Energy, Missouri River Energy Services stopping development of river reservoir pump station

A multi-billion dollar effort in the works for decades to build an energy-producing reservoir has come to an abrupt halt.

A planned development known as the Gregory County Pumped Storage Project that aimed to acquire and redevelop 1,100 acres of land near Gregory County land into a water source will not move forward, according to a joint statement issued by MidAmerican Energy and Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) Tuesday. 

“While pumped storage technology is proven and the need for energy storage solutions is essential for regional reliability, MidAmerican and MRES have decided not to pursue the project at this time,” read a statement sent to The Dakota Scout by Tim Blodgett, MRES Vice President of Member Services and Communications.

MRES and MidAmerican Energy had been conducting community outreach in recent years and conducting environmental impact studies in preparation for the project, which was tentatively set to begin in 2029.

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