BLM seeks public input for seven solar projects in Nevada
Proposed projects could add up to 6.2 GW of clean energy to the grid, power 1.6 million homes
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Tonopah, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management invites the public to review and comment on the draft environmental impact statement and resource management plan amendment for the proposed Esmeralda 7 Solar Project in Esmeralda County. If approved, the seven adjacent solar photovoltaic projects would collectively produce up to 6.2 gigawatts (GW) of clean electricity – enough to power roughly 1.6 million average homes, according to the EPA Calculator.
The BLM analyzed the environmental effects of these seven projects together in one document because they would be constructed adjacent to each other within an approximately 118,000-acre area of public lands in Big Smoky Valley near Tonopah. The environmental impact statement analyzes proposed management changes; implementation of design features on air, biological, hydrologic, and visual resources; cultural and Native American concerns; socioeconomics; and environmental justice.
“Public participation in the environmental review process is vitally important,” said Battle Mountain District Manager Douglas Furtado. “BLM is committed to responsibly adding more clean energy to the grid.”
The BLM will host one virtual public meeting and one in-person public meeting. The dates, times, location of these meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance on the project’s BLM National NEPA Register. Further information on the project and how to register for the meetings is available at the BLM National NEPA Register.
Written comments must be received by Oct. 24, 2024, and reference Esmeralda 7 in the subject line for mailed and emailed comments. Options to submit include:
- Online via the Participate Now tab of the BLM National NEPA Register (preferred)
- By mail to BLM Esmeralda Seven Project Manager, 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 89820
- Email to BLM_NV_BMDO_P&EC_NEPA@blm.gov
For more information, contact Scott Distel, Project Manager, at 775-635-4093 or 4000.
Recently, the Department of the Interior announced that BLM had achieved the major milestone of permitting 25 gigawatts of clean energy projects, including solar, wind, geothermal, and gen-ties (transmission lines that cross public lands to connect renewable energy projects on private lands to the grid). As of July 2024, an additional 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, the agency has begun the 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 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 the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035.
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.