ERC: Flaming Gorge pipeline granted rehearing

After squelching what it called a “premature” proposal by entrepreneur Aaron Million to build a buried 500-mile water pipeline between Flaming Gorge and Pueblo, Colo., the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has announced it would grant the proposal a rehearing.

The rehearing comes despite multiple protests from environmentalist groups, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the U.S. Forest Service, Sweetwater County, Colorado Springs Utilities and others. Opponents claim it would damage the ecosystem surrounding Flaming Gorge, thereby damaging the $118 million local outdoor economy.

In his rehearing request, Million invoked the approved, 139-mile Lake Powell Pipeline, which will cost $1.064 billion and be…