BLM seeks public input on the proposed Elisabeth Solar Project in Arizona
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YUMA, Ariz. — The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comments on a draft environmental assessment for the proposed Elisabeth Solar Project near Dateland in Yuma County. If approved, the project could produce up to 270 megawatts of clean electricity and up to 300 megawatts of battery storage.
Elisabeth Solar, LLC, proposes to construct, operate, maintain, and eventually deconstruct a utility-scale photovoltaic energy generating and battery storage facility on approximately 1,411 acres of public lands within the western portion of the Agua Caliente Solar Energy Zone (SEZ).
“The BLM supports responsible development of renewable energy on our nation’s public lands to realize the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035,” said BLM Yuma Field Manager Ray Castro. “We will continue to engage with Tribal, federal, state, and local governments, local communities, stakeholder groups, and industry as we evaluate this project.”
The comment period will close Aug. 26, 2024. Project information is available at the BLM National NEPA Register where comments may be submitted via the “Participate Now” option (preferred). Comments may also be emailed to BLM_AZ_CRD_Solar@blm.gov or delivered to BLM Yuma Field Office, Attn: Elisabeth Solar – Public Comment, 7341 E 30th St., Suite A, Yuma, AZ 85365-6525.
Please register to attend a virtual public meeting the BLM will host on Aug. 14, 2024, from 5:30–6:30 p.m. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation for the public meeting, please contact Dolores Garcia at dagarcia@blm.gov or 602-417-9241.
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 the nation’s clean energy goals, the BLM provides sites for environmentally sound development of renewable energy on public lands.
As of July 2024, 70 utility-scale clean energy projects—with the potential to produce more than 32 gigawatts of renewable energy— are being processed by the BLM throughout the western United States. In addition, BLM has begun preliminary review of nearly 170 applications for solar and wind development, as well as more than 40 applications for solar and wind energy site testing.
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.