Bureau of Land Management accepting pre-scoping comments for geothermal project near Gerlach
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Gerlach, Nevada — The Black Rock Field Office announced today it will begin accepting pre-scoping comments on a Utilization Plan and a Plan of Development proposed by Ormat Technologies Inc. for the Gerlach, Nevada area. The feedback received will help the BLM determine if an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared. The 60-day pre-scoping period will end November 30, 2020.
“Public input is important in the early stages of the project development to ensure appropriate development of energy on public lands,” said Winnemucca District Manager Ester McCullough.
The BLM is analyzing the environmental effects of building two new geothermal power plants. Each power plant will produce 24 megawatts of electricity. Construction will include; an electrical substation, up to 23 total geothermal production and injection wells, approximately 4.6 miles of above ground pipelines, access roads and an approximately 26-mile long 120 kilovolt overhead power line originating at one of the proposed power plants and terminating at the North Valley Substation in the San Emidio Desert. The power plants, substation, pipelines, wells, and access roads proposed will be located less than 1 mile north of Gerlach, Nevada in Washoe County.
The BLM is requesting comments be submitted to blm_nv_wdo_gerlach_geothermal@blm.gov by November 30, 2020. Comments can also be mailed to:
Attn: Gerlach Geothermal Project
C/O BLM Winnemucca District
5100 East Winnemucca Blvd.
Winnemucca, NV 89445
Mailed comments must be post marked no later than November 30, 2020.
Before including an address, phone number, email address, or other personally identifiable information in any comments, be aware that the entire comment—including personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. Requests to withhold personal identifying information from public review can be submitted, but the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.
For more information contact project specialist Tai Subia at tsubia@blm.gov or 775-623-1500.
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.