BLM completes environmental assessment for the Sierra Solar Utilities Project
LOVELOCK, Nev. –The Bureau of Land Management today issued a Final Environmental Assessment for the Sierra Solar Utilities Project. The project would cross approximately 55 acres of public lands in Churchill County to connect the proposed Sierra Solar facility to the electric grid. If approved, NV Energy would be authorized to construct, operate, maintain, and eventually decommission two 345-kilovolt gen-tie transmission lines, buried collector lines, and a new access road on public lands.
If constructed, the proposed 400-megawatt Sierra Solar Facility would be built on approximately 2,800 acres of adjacent private lands and include a battery energy storage system. The utilities project analyzed by the BLM would connect the proposed facility to the grid through the Tracy and Valmy transmission lines. This utilities project would include approximately 11 acres of new ground disturbance and use 44 acres of existing unpaved roads to access the project area.
“We appreciate the public’s input on the proposed project during the public comment period,” said Humboldt River Field Manager, John Mitchell. “That input shaped the Final Environmental Assessment announced today.”
Since January 2021, the BLM has approved 43 renewable energy projects on public lands (10 solar, 1 wind, 14 geothermal, and 18 gen-ties) and exceeded the goal to permit 25 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2025. Overall, the BLM has permitted clean energy projects on public lands with a total capacity of more than 32 gigawatts – enough to power more than 15 million homes. This year BLM also issued a final Renewable Energy Rule that will lower consumer energy costs and the cost of developing solar and wind projects, improve project application processes, create jobs, and incentivize developers to continue responsibly developing solar and wind projects on public lands.
Final documents can be viewed at the BLM National NEPA Register. For more information, please contact Project Manager Katy Paiva at 775-861-6500.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.