York Energy Storage representative outlines 855 MW pumped‑storage plan and answers resident questions

Bill McMahon Jr., representing York Energy Storage (YES), presented a proposal for an 855‑megawatt pumped‑storage energy project to the Chanceford Township Board of Supervisors on Feb. 9, 2026. He said the project would require roughly 1,500 acres and estimated it would serve about 500,000 customers and take about 10 years to build.

McMahon said YES currently holds a preliminary permit from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that is valid for four years, giving the company the right to pursue environmental and engineering studies. He told the board YES has budgeted about $50 million for studies and expects the development to add materially to the local tax base: "based on our estimation, we expect to pay $30 million taxes per year," McMahon said, and estimated the 45 properties in the study area now total about $4 million in assessed value and could be reappraised at roughly $1 billion if the project proceeds. He said the project would employ 300–500 construction workers and 25–50 permanent staff when operational.

During a limited 15‑minute public Q&A, residents pressed YES representatives on technical and environmental points. Resident Jake Horton asked whether McMahon's engineering license was current; McMahon acknowledged his license had not been renewed and said the company would hire a licensed engineer if required. Horton also questioned whether the facility is truly "green" given reported energy losses; McMahon acknowledged system losses and explained the pumped‑storage design would have an efficiency loss (he described a roughly 20% loss in one exchange).

Tom Burchett asked whether local electric rates would rise and McMahon said costs would be shared across multiple states rather than borne only by local customers. Ted Evgeniadis asked about impacts to Lake Clark and downstream rivers; McMahon said water levels would vary about 1–3 feet over a 10‑hour cycle and that YES would conduct studies on recreation, settlement, temperature and dissolved oxygen impacts. McMahon also noted litigation: Chesapeake Bay and other groups have filed suit challenging the federal government's issuance of the preliminary permit; YES is awaiting a decision on that lawsuit.

McMahon said YES is willing to engage with landowners and pay above market value if acquisition becomes necessary, and that the company hopes to "be good citizens and neighbors" by offering community benefits and local contracting opportunities.

Next steps identified at the meeting: YES will proceed with or await required studies and regulatory decisions, and township residents were directed to the company report noted as publicly available. The board did not take any formal action on the project at this meeting.