Bureau of Land Management seeks public input on proposed Dry Lake East Energy Center Solar Project
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LAS VEGAS – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public comments to inform development of an environmental assessment and regional mitigation strategy for the proposed Dry Lake East Energy Center Solar Project in Clark County, Nevada. The proposed project is located on 1,635 acres of public land 10 miles northeast of Las Vegas in the Dry Lake East Designated Leasing Area. This area was selected as a preferred location for solar energy development in 2020.
“BLM invites input from the public to help inform the BLM’s development of the environmental assessment and regional mitigation strategy for the proposed project,” said Coreen Francis, Acting Las Vegas Field Office Manager.
The BLM held a competitive auction for the area in 2022 and Dry Lake East Energy Center was selected as the preferred applicant for the site. The proposed project would consist of the construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning of photovoltaic solar modules and associated facilities necessary to generate up to 200 megawatts of electricity.
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, as well as Congress’s direction in the Energy Act of 2020 to permit 25 gigawatts of solar, wind, and geothermal production on public lands no later than 2025.
The 30-day public scoping comment period opens today and will close March 22, 2023. BLM is seeking information about resources, recreational uses, and potential recipient sites for off-site mitigation funds. More information about the proposed Dry Lake East Energy Center Project can be found on BLM’s ePlanning website at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2023193/570.
Written comments may be submitted by any of the following methods:
- Email: BLM_NV_SND_EnergyProjects@blm.gov
- ePlanning: Utilize the “Participate Now” function at the project webpage: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2023193/570
- Mail: BLM, Las Vegas Field Office, Attn: Dry Lake East Solar Project, 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130-2301
If you have any questions about this project please contact the project manager, Lara Kobelt at (702) 515-5067 or via email at BLM_NV_SND_EnergyProjects@blm.gov.
Before including addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, or other personal identifying information in comments, be aware that entire comments—including personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While commenters can request that personal identifying information be withheld from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
-BLM-
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.