BLM identifies successful bidder to submit a proposal for the Dry Lake East Designated Leasing Area
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LAS VEGAS –The Bureau of Land Management’s Las Vegas Field Office has identified a successful bidder for the right to submit a solar energy development proposal for the 1,635-acre Dry Lake East Designated Leasing Area, located 10 miles northwest of Las Vegas on BLM managed public lands.
“Boulevard Associates, LLC has been selected as the preferred applicant to submit a right-of-way application and solar energy plan of development for the Dry Lake East Designated Leasing Area,” said Shonna Dooman, Las Vegas Field Office Manager. “Their application and subsequent development of a renewable energy project in this area will contribute towards fulfilling the administration’s priority of developing 25 gigawatts of renewable energy on public lands by 2025 and achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035.”
During the 45-day competitive bidding period, BLM received 13 sealed bids. Boulevard Associates, LLC’s (a wholly owned subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC) high bid was $10,288,780. The successful bidder will need to submit a right-of-way application within 30 days of notification of the auction result as well as submit a Plan of Development within 60 days. Details regarding the competitive offer process can be found at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/86813.
The BLM manages vast stretches of public lands that have the potential to make significant contributions to the nation’s renewable energy portfolio. To promote our clean energy goals, the BLM provides sites for environmentally sound development of renewable energy on public lands and new transmission routes to connect into the grid.
The BLM’s Solar and Wind Energy Rule, published in the Federal Register on December 19, 2016, reduces land and resource conflicts by incentivizing the development of solar projects in designated leasing areas. The Dry Lake East Designated Leasing Area is representative of responsible development, using adaptive management strategies to ensure resources are managed correctly when approved and developed. Boulevard Associates, LLC will incorporate design features into their Plan of Development to minimize impacts to resources.
For additional information, please contact Beth Ransel at (702) 515-5284 or BLM_NV_SND_EnergyProjects.gov.
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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.