BLM extends public scoping period for the Copper Rays Solar Project Environmental Impact Statement and Resource Management Plan Amendment
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Las Vegas –Bureau of Land Management has extended the public scoping period for the Copper Rays Solar Project Environmental Impact Statement and Resource Management Plan Amendment after receiving several requests due to concerns about the scoping period overlapping several major holiday periods. The public scoping period now closes on January 13, 2023.
“Public input during the scoping period is critically important to informing the development of the environmental review for the Copper Rays Solar Project,” said Nicholas Pay, Pahrump Field Office Manager.
The Copper Rays Solar Project is located on 5,050 acres of BLM-managed public land in Nye County, Nevada, southeast of the town of Pahrump and 40 miles west of Las Vegas. The project includes a photovoltaic solar power generating facility with battery storage and interconnection to the regional transmission system. The electricity generated from the project would be collected at the onsite substation and conveyed to the existing Gamebird substation located northwest of the project site via a generation gen-tie transmission line. Additional information can be found at the project webpage: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2019523/510
The BLM manages vast stretches of public lands with the potential to make significant contributions to the nation’s renewable energy portfolio and provides sites for environmentally sound renewable energy projects. Efficient deployment of renewable energy from our nation’s public lands is crucial in achieving President Biden’s goal of a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035, as well as Congressional direction in the Energy Act of 2020 to permit 25 gigawatts of solar, wind, and geothermal production on public lands no later than 2025.
Written comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:
- Email: BLM_NV_SND_EnergyProjects@blm.gov
- ePlanning: Utilize the “Participate Now” function at the Project webpage: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2019523/510
- Mail: BLM, Pahrump Field Office, Attn: Copper Rays Solar Project, 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130-2301
Additionally, the BLM is hosting two virtual public scoping meetings, scheduled for December 6 and December 7, 2022 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Time. To register for the meeting, please utilize the following links.
December 6, 2022 Virtual Scoping Meeting Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SgKc-YJfT_eZemQbyycFVg
December 7, 2022 Virtual Scoping Meeting Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_r2OKY8P3SX-BCnOvUYIZ9g
If you have questions about this project, please contact Whitney Wirthlin, Project Manager, at 725-249-3318.
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment – including your personal identifying information – may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
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.