Utah officials say they have shaved $100 million off the estimated price of a proposed pipeline that would pull water from Lake Powell.
The Utah Division of Water Resources said in a news release Wednesday the cost savings come from scrapping plans for two reservoirs that would have generated hydropower at peak demand times.
Division spokeswoman Marcie Larson says the project is estimated to cost $1-1.7 billion, down from as much as $1.8 billion. It would be repaid over 50 years.
A legislative audit found it will require a large fee, rate and tax increases in Washington County in southern Utah to pay for the project.
Critics call the pipeline an unnecessary use of funds and say the emphasis should be on getting residents to use less water.
The project is pending regulatory reviews.