The Hook Canyon project would use 14 reversible turbines that would both pump water up to the reservoir at night and generate electricity during the day.

Nine miles of new transmission lines would be required to connect the facility to Rocky Mountain Power's transmission lines. The lines would both supply power to the pumps and deliver electricity to the grid.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission review could take seven to 10 years. Meanwhile, Tolentino said, the state will keep a close eye on the project.

"We'll be monitoring it very closely," he said.

Lamarra, who also operates the environmental consulting firm Ecosystems Research Institute in Logan, said the project is environmentally sound.

"We're appalled when we're being represented as the bad guys," he said.

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E-mail: thomasjwennergren@yahoo.com