BLM seeks public comment on proposed Crimson Solar Project
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PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public comment on the proposed Crimson Solar Project in Riverside County. The proposed project supports the Administration’s America First Energy Plan that supports energy development on public lands, improving infrastructure and creating jobs in local economies.
The public is invited to open house meetings from 5 to 7 pm on the following dates and locations:
- Dec. 2, University of Riverside-Palm Desert, Room B114/B117, 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive, Palm Desert, CA.
- Dec. 3, Blythe City Hall Multipurpose Room, 235 N. Broadway, Blythe, CA,
During the meetings, participants can learn more about the project, ask questions about the environmental analysis and decision process, discuss concerns and provide written comments. Public comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) must be submitted to BLM by Jan. 30, 2020.
Sonoran West Solar Holdings, LLC (Sonoran West), a wholly owned subsidiary of Recurrent Energy, LLC, is seeking a right of way grant on up to 2,500 acres of public lands to construct, operate, and decommission a 350-megawatt photovoltaic solar energy generation facility in eastern Riverside County. The project represents an investment of approximately $550 million, would create up to 650 new jobs during peak construction and about 10 permanent jobs and 40 temporary jobs in operations and maintenance during the 30-year life of the project.
This Draft EIS/Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Draft Land Use Plan Amendment was prepared as a joint federal/state environmental document that analyzes the impacts of the project under both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The BLM is the lead Federal agency for the NEPA review and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is the lead agency for the CEQA review. The U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are cooperating agencies in this review.
The Draft EIS/EIR, along with the agency-preferred alternative for the Crimson Solar Project, can be viewed on BLM ePlanning. The public is encouraged to provide written comments via mail to: Crimson Solar Project, Bureau of Land Management, Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262; or by email to blm_ca_crimsonsolar@blm.gov; or by fax to 760-833-7199.
Before including your address, phone number, email address, or any other personal identifying information in your comments, please be aware that your entire comment, including personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While individuals may request BLM to withhold personal identifying information from public view, the BLM cannot guarantee it will be able to do so.
For further information, please contact Miriam Liberatore, BLM project manager, at 541-618-2412, or by email at mliberat@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.