BLM finishes environmental analysis for proposed Rough Hat Clark Solar Project
LAS VEGAS – The Bureau of Land Management released a Final Environmental Impact Statement to amend the 1998 Las Vegas Resource Management Plan for the Rough Hat Clark Solar Project proposed on approximately 2,469 acres of public lands near Pahrump in Clark County. If approved, the project could generate up to 400 megawatts of clean energy with up to 700 megawatts of battery energy storage added to the transmission grid.
Candela Renewables, LLC, proposes to construct, operate, maintain, and eventually decommission an alternating current solar photovoltaic power generating facility, battery energy storage system, a gen-tie transmission line, and associated facilities.
“We received public input during public scoping and the release of the draft Environmental Impact Statement,” said Las Vegas Field Manager Bruce Sillitoe. “These comments have helped inform the BLM on the development of the final Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed project.”
The Environmental Protection Agency will publish a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on Nov. 1, 2024, to begin a 30-day protest period for the proposed amendment, which ends Dec. 2, 2024.
Those who participated in the planning process and have an interest that may be adversely affected by the proposed plan may file a plan protest electronically via the BLM National NEPA Register (preferred) or deliver it to: BLM Director, Attention: Protest Coordinator (HQ210), Denver Federal Center, Building 40 (Door W-4), Lakewood, CO 80215. Please visit the BLM Filing a Plan Protest page for instructions.
The Biden-Harris administration has approved 43 renewable energy projects on public lands (10 solar, 14 geothermal, 1 wind, and 18 gen-ties) and exceeded the goal to permit 25 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2025. The BLM has permitted clean energy projects on public lands with a total capacity of more than 32 gigawatts of power – 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, and incentivize developers to continue responsibly developing solar and wind projects on public lands.
For more information on either project, please contact Jessica Headen, Project Manager, at (702) 515–5206 or email BLM_NV_SND_EnergyProjects@blm.gov.
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.