Alabama Power Company has officially withdrawn its application to build an energy storage project on Chandler Mountain that likely would have forced dozens of residents from their homes.

“After careful consideration, Alabama Power has decided to withdraw its Notice of Intent to seek a license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to operate a Pumped Storage Hydro facility at Chandler Mountain,” the company said in an email.

The company also submitted a letter to FERC Thursday morning asking them to “suspend the ILP [integrated licensing process] for the Project immediately and terminate the ILP on the effective date of this withdrawn pleading.”

Hundreds of residents packed public meetings discussing the project, after regulators said it could open residents up to losing their land through eminent domain. The residents’ voices seem to have had an effect.

“After careful evaluation and meaningful conversations with numerous stakeholders, Alabama Power has decided to withdraw the April 14, 2023 NOI, thereby terminating the licensing process for the Chandler Mountain Pumped Storage Project,” the company said in its letter to FERC.

State and local politicians such as Alabama Public Service Commission President Twinkle Cavanaugh spoke out against the project, but it was FERC that had the ultimate decision whether to approve the project.

Now the federal agency won’t have to decide.

“Our guiding purpose is to provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable power to the 1.5 million people and businesses that depend on us,” Alabama Power’s statement read. “As we look to the future, we recognize that alternative resources as well as energy storage options will be key in meeting the ever-changing needs of our customers.

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The project would have build seven new dams to create two new reservoirs, one on top of the mountain and one in the valley below.

The company then could have pumped water to the upper reservoir when power was plentiful and then generated electricity by letting the water flow downhill to the lower reservoir during peak usage hours.

“Alabama Power will continue to explore all available technologies with due diligence, striving to power a better Alabama in ways that align with the evolving needs and expectations of our customers. We appreciate the feedback received by all parties involved with the exploration of the Chandler Mountain project.”