BLM approves Easley Solar Project in Riverside County
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management today approved the Easley Solar project proposed on approximately 2,700 acres of BLM-managed public lands and 990 acres of private lands in Riverside County. The project is expected to generate up to 390 megawatts of photovoltaic solar energy and 650 megawatts of battery storage capacity, delivering reliable clean energy to the statewide transmission grid. The project will add nearly $305 million in infrastructure investment to the community and create 530 construction jobs followed by 10 operational positions once construction is complete.
BLM’s approval authorizes Easley Solar, LLC a right-of-way to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission a photovoltaic solar facility, battery storage, and a 7.5-mile 500-kilovolt generation-tie (gen-tie) line. Power generated by the project would be transmitted to the Southern California Edison Red Bluff Substation.
“Approving Easley Solar represents another significant step demonstrating BLM’s commitment to renewable energy development,” said California Desert District Manager Shelly Lynch
The Easley Solar Project will be constructed on lands designated as a Development Focus Area in the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan, a landscape-level plan that streamlines renewable energy development while conserving unique and valuable desert ecosystems and providing outdoor recreation opportunities.
The Biden-Harris administration has approved 42 renewable energy projects on public lands (10 solar, 14 geothermal, 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.
The Decision Record, Finding of No New Significant Impacts, Environmental Assessment, and associated documents are available on the BLM National NEPA Register.
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.