Bureau of Land Management
Solar Energy Permitting and Program Resources
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public comments through Feb. 13, 2025, on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Purple Sage Energy Center, a proposed solar photovoltaic and battery storage facility that would be located on approximately 4,424 acres of public lands in Clark County, Nevada. If approved, the project could generate and store up to 400 megawatts.
The BLM intends to host one in-person and one virtual public meeting to discuss the Purple Sage Energy Center project, as follows:
A Notice of Availability published in the Federal Register on Nov. 15, 2024, announced the opening of the public comment period. Written comments may be submitted through the “Participate Now” function of the BLM National NEPA Register (preferred); emailed to [email protected]; or delivered to the BLM Southern Nevada District Office, Attn: Purple Sage Energy Center Project, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV, 89130. The comment period ends Feb. 13, 2025.
For additional information, including to view the Draft EIS and submit comments, visit the Purple Sage Energy Center page of the BLM National NEPA Register (ePlanning).
On November 1, 2024, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to amend the 1998 Las Vegas Resource Management Plan for the Rough Hat Clark Solar Project proposed on approximately 2,469 acres of public lands near Pahrump in Clark County, Nevada. If approved, the project could generate up to 400 megawatts (MW) with up to 700 MW of battery energy storage.
Candela Renewables, LLC, proposes to construct, operate, maintain, and eventually decommission an alternating current solar photovoltaic power generating facility, battery energy storage system, a gen-tie transmission line, and associated facilities.
For additional information, visit the Rough Hat Clark County Solar Project page of the BLM National NEPA Register (ePlanning).
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) initiated the variance process for analysis of three projects proposed for public lands in Clark and Nye counties, Nevada. If approved, the projects could generate a combined total of up to 2,305 megawatts (MW). The following list provides a brief description of each project:
Recordings of virtual public information forums are available for the Larrea and Mosey solar projects, as well as for the Rock Valley Solar Project.
For additional information, refer to the October 30, 2024, BLM announcement.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently published the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Resource Management Plan Amendment (Draft EIS/RMPA) for the Bonanza Solar Project, as described in the Notice of Availability published in the Federal Register. The BLM is seeking comments on the Draft EIS/RMPA during a public comment period that will end December 5, 2024. In addition, the BLM will host a combination of virtual and in-person public meetings during the comment period.
The Bonanza Solar Project is a proposed 300-megawatt solar energy project including battery energy storage and interconnection to the regional transmission system. The proposed project would be located on approximately 5,133 acres of BLM-managed public land within designated solar variance area in Clark and Nye counties, Nevada.
To view the Draft EIS/RMPA, submit comments, and view other project documents, visit the Bonanza Solar Project page on the BLM National NEPA Register (ePlanning).
On September 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that the BLM is finalizing two projects and moving forward two more that will advance solar energy facilities and transmission lines in Nevada, helping deliver renewable energy from the Nevada desert to the Western electric grid. The following two projects are being approved through signing of a record of decision for each project:
The BLM has opened public comment periods on the two projects that are moving forward through publication of separate draft environmental impact statements. These two projects are:
For additional information, view the DOI press release.
On July 26, 2024, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published the Notice of Availability of the Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment and Associated Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the Esmeralda Seven Solar Projects in the Federal Register. If approved, the seven adjacent solar photovoltaic projects would collectively produce up to 6.2 gigawatts (GW) and would be located in Esmeralda County on an approximately 118,000-acre area of public lands in Big Smoky Valley near Tonopah.
The BLM invites the public to comment on the Draft PEIS, and written comments must be received by October 24, 2024. To view the Draft PEIS and for information on public meetings and how to submit comments, visit the Esmeralda Seven Solar Project page of the BLM National NEPA Register (ePlanning) and the BLM press release.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has published the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Libra Solar Project in Mineral and Lyon Counties, Nevada, as announced in the Notice of Availability of the Final EIS published in the Federal Register on July 26, 2024.
Under the proposal, Libra Solar, LLC (a subsidiary of Arevia Power), would construct, operate, maintain, and decommission a 700 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic facility, 700 MW battery energy storage system, and 24-mile-long generation tie-line under a 30-year BLM right-of-way grant. The project would be located on approximately 5,141 acres of public lands in Mineral County, and the tie-line would connect to the Fort Churchill substation in Lyon County.
The Final EIS and associated supplemental documents are available via the Libra Solar Project page of the BLM's National NEPA Register (ePlanning).
On April 19, 2024, the Bureau of Land Management announced approval of the Dry Lake East Energy Center Solar Project on 1,635 acres of public lands in Clark County. The project is designed to generate up to 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity and provide up to 600 MW of battery energy storage reliability for the Nevada grid through the Harry Allen Substation.
For additional information, including a summary of the comments received during the public review period, visit the Dry Lake East Energy Center Solar Project page on the BLM National NEPA Register (ePlanning).
On January 19, 2024, The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published a Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Libra Solar Project in the Federal Register, initiating a public comment period that will end on March 4, 2024.
If approved, the project could generate and store up to 700 megawatts of photovoltaic solar energy on approximately 5,778 acres of public lands in Mineral County and would include a 24.1-mile-long generation tie line, mostly on public lands, connecting to the Fort Churchill Substation in Lyon County. The project would be constructed using photovoltaic solar modules mounted on single-axis, horizontal tracker structures combined with an integrated battery energy storage system.
For more information and to submit comments, visit the Libra Solar Project page on the BLM National NEPA Register (ePlanning).
The Bureau of Land Management, Carson City District Office, is seeking public comments until February 23, 2024, for the proposed Dodge Flat II Solar Energy Center in Washoe County, Nevada. The Notice of Intent to Amend the Carson City Field Office Consolidated Resource Management Plan and prepare an associated Environmental Assessment for the project was published in the Federal Register on January 19, 2024.
The Dodge Flat II Solar Energy Center would consist of the construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning of photovoltaic solar modules, a battery energy storage system, generation tie-line, and associated facilities necessary to generate up to 200 megawatts of electricity. The expected life of the project is 30 years. The proposed project area includes approximately 700 acres of public land and approximately 1,040 acres of private land in Washoe County.
For more information and to submit comments, visit the Dodge Flat II Solar page on the BLM National NEPA Register (ePlanning).
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) welcomes public comment on the draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for a proposed 400-megawatt solar photovoltaic energy project on approximately 2,433 acres of BLM-managed public land about 38 miles west of Las Vegas, adjacent to the Clark and Nye County line.
The BLM will host one in-person and one virtual public meeting to discuss the Rough Hat Project – the in-person meeting will be held in Pahrump, NV, on January 30, 2024, and the virtual meeting will be on February 1, 2024.
The public comment period will close April 11, 2024. For more information on the public meetings, to view the draft EIS and other project documents, and to submit comments, visit the Rough Hat Clark County Solar Project page on the BLM National NEPA Register (ePlanning).
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las Vegas Field Office is announcing an upcoming public comment period on an environmental assessment (EA) and regional mitigation strategy for the proposed Dry Lake East Energy Center Solar Project. The public comment period will close February 19, 2024.
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 designated as a preferred location for solar energy development in 2020 with input from agencies and the public. The BLM held a competitive auction for the area in 2022 and the successful bidder was determined to be the preferred applicant for the site. The BLM has developed an EA and regional mitigation strategy for the application that proposes construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning of 200-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic solar facility with 200 MW of battery energy storage and an additional 400 MW battery energy storage facility.
For more information and to submit comments, visit the Dry Lake East Energy Center Solar Project page on the BLM National NEPA Register (ePlanning).
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ely District, Bristlecone Field Office is seeking to gather public input on the Pantheon Solar Project proposed in a solar variance area on approximately 2,682 acres of BLM-managed land in White Pine County, approximately 16 miles west of Ely, Nev. The public input period will conclude Feb. 22, 2024.
Pantheon Solar, LLC has applied for a right-of-way grant for the construction, operation and eventual decommissioning of a proposed 400-megawatt (MW) alternating current solar facility, including battery energy storage and interconnection to the regional transmission system, on BLM-managed land. The information forum is being held as part of the solar variance application process, and information gathered during the public input period will inform BLM's determination on whether to continue to process the Pantheon Solar Project right-of-way application. More information about the Pantheon Solar Project can be found at www.pantheonsolarproject.com.
The BLM considers right-of-way applications for utility-scale solar energy development in variance areas by reviewing environmental considerations; coordinating with appropriate federal, state, and local agencies and Tribes; and conducting public outreach. Public comments that would be the most helpful are those that identify potential local concerns, barriers, and/or opportunities related to the proposed project. Input about types of use within the proposed area, such as recreational activities and opportunities and other factors, would also be helpful at this time.
Written input may be submitted to the BLM Bristlecone Field Office, 702 North Industrial Way, Ely, NV 89301, Attn: Pantheon Solar Project. Submit comments electronically at [email protected]. Public input on the variance application will be accepted until February 22, 2024.
Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment — including your personal identifying information — may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
For more information, see the BLM press release.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public comment on a proposal to evaluate the impacts of the proposed Esmeralda 7 (E7) Solar Projects near Tonopah in central Nevada. If approved, the seven projects are expected to generate a total of up to 5.3 gigawatts. On November 13, 2023, the BLM published the Notice of Intent in the Federal Register, beginning the public scoping period that will be open through December 15, 2023. The BLM will hold virtual public scoping meetings on November 29 and 30, 2023. Register in advance via Zoom to attend either or both meetings.
Approximately 118,631 acres of public lands have been withdrawn from mineral entry for a period of two years in Esmeralda County's Big Smoky Valley near Tonopah while the projects are being considered. The seven proposed projects are Esmeralda Energy Center Project, Gold Dust Solar Project, Lone Mountain Solar Project, Nivloc Energy Project, Red Ridge 1 Project, Red Ridge 2 Project, and Smoky Valley Solar Project.
The proposal to amend the Tonopah Resource Management Plan and prepare an associated Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement will assess potential impacts to air, biological, hydrological, and visual resources, as well as cultural, Native American, socioeconomic, and environmental justice interests.
For additional information and to submit comments, visit the Esmeralda Seven Solar Project page on the BLM National NEPA Register.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved a new solar project that will sit on approximately 76 acres of public lands in Clark County, Nevada, four miles southwest of Boulder City. The newly approved Townsite Solar 2 Project is projected to generate up to 19 megawatts of power and includes battery energy storage.
A synopsis of the 12 public comments received and BLM responses can be found in the Decision Record, which is available via the Townsite Solar 2 Project page of the BLM National NEPA Register, along with the Finding of No Significant Impact, Environmental Assessment, and other associated documents.
On August 3, 2023, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the draft environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed Townsite Solar 2 Project in Clark County, Nevada, which began a 15-day public comment period through August 18, 2023. The project is a proposed 19 megawatt photovoltaic solar power generation and battery storage facility on approximately 80 acres of BLM-managed public lands four miles southwest of Boulder City and two miles south of Railroad Pass, on the west side of US Highway 95.
In 2022, the BLM completed the initial evaluation of the Townsite Solar 2 Project right-of-way application after coordination with federal, state and local agencies and Tribes, as well as receiving public input. After careful consideration, the BLM determined it would continue processing the application and initiated the environmental review of the project.
The BLM held a virtual public meeting regarding the draft EA on August 3, 2023, and the video recording of this meeting is available on YouTube: Townsite 2 Solar 8‑3‑23 Draft EA meeting
The draft EA is available via the Townsite Solar 2 Project page of the BLM National NEPA Register, which also provides instructions for submitting comments, other project documents, and additional information.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) held an auction for utility-scale solar energy development in Nevada this week, resulting in $105.15 million in high bids. The auction of four parcels across 23,675 acres in the Amargosa Desert could support nearly 3 gigawatts of renewable energy to the electrical grid. This is the highest-yielding onshore renewable energy auction in the agency's history.
The auction resulted in the identification of provisional winners for leases on two parcels and for preferred applicants on two parcels. NV Energy, Inc., placed the high bids for both leases auctioned in the Amargosa Valley Solar Energy Zone. Parcel A includes 3,775 acres with a high bid of $35.25 million, and Parcel B includes 3,451 acres with a high bid of $46.6 million.
Provisional preferred applicants were identified for the two parcels auctioned outside the solar energy zone. Boulevard Associates, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, placed the high bid of $21 million for rights to submit a solar energy development proposal for a 10,129-acre parcel (Parcel 1) and Silver Star Solar I, LLC, a subsidiary of Leeward Renewable Energy, placed the high bid of $2.3 million to submit a solar energy development proposal on a 6,320-acre parcel (Parcel 2). Successful bidders for these parcels outside designated solar energy zones must also submit a right-of-way application within 30 days of the auction and a Plan of Development within 60 days. The BLM will then conduct project-specific reviews to verify compatibility with existing laws and policies before approving further project development.
For additional information on the results of the auction, see the Department of the Interior press release.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public comments on the Bonanza Solar Project in Clark and Nye counties, Nevada. If approved as proposed, this project would generate up to 300 megawatts (MW) of solar energy and would include 300 MW of battery storage for communities in southwest Nevada, including Las Vegas.
The proposed project, which would include the construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning of solar panels, battery energy storage, and associated infrastructure, would occupy approximately half of the 5,133-acre application area on public lands west of Indian Springs, approximately 30 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Project construction is anticipated to take 12 months.
On June 5, 2023, BLM published a Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Potential Resource Management Plan Amendment for the Bonanza Solar Project in Clark and Nye Counties, Nevada, in the Federal Register, opening a 45-day public comment period that closes July 20, 2023. Comments the BLM received during the solar variance process for the project, which was completed in April 2023, will also be considered for development of the Environmental Impact Statement.
For more information, including project documents, maps, and information on public workshops, and to submit comments, visit the Bonanza Solar Project page of the National NEPA Register.
On April 11, 2023, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced it is auctioning four parcels totaling 23,675 acres for utility-scale solar energy development in the Amargosa Desert in Nye County, Nevada. The parcels, if fully developed, have the potential to produce nearly three gigawatts of renewable energy.
The BLM is auctioning leases for two Amargosa Valley Solar Energy Zone (SEZ) parcels consisting of 3,775 acres and 3,451 acres. SEZs were identified in the 2012 Western Solar Plan and designated for competitive leasing for solar energy development because of low conflict with natural and cultural resources, and low potential for conflicts with other land uses. The BLM is also auctioning rights to submit solar energy development proposals on two other parcels consisting of 10,129 acres and 6,320 acres. The BLM has received substantial interest for development of solar energy projects in the area, and BLM expects to evaluate additional proposals.
The BLM will host the live auction on June 27, 2023, at 10 a.m. local time, offering two parcels in the Amargosa Valley SEZ; and 1 p.m. local time offering the two other parcels. Further information about the auction can be found on the BLM National NEPA Register.
The BLM's Las Vegas Field Office has identified Boulevard Associates, LLC as successful bidder for the right to submit a solar energy development proposal for the 1,635-acre Dry Lake East Designated Leasing Area, located 10 miles northwest of Las Vegas on BLM managed public lands.
During the 45-day competitive bidding period, BLM received 13 sealed bids. Boulevard Associates, LLC's (a wholly owned subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC) high bid was $10,288,780. The successful bidder will need to submit a right-of-way application within 30 days of notification of the auction result as well as submit a Plan of Development within 60 days.
The BLM's Solar and Wind Energy Rule, published in the Federal Register on December 19, 2016, reduces land and resource conflicts by incentivizing the development of solar projects in designated leasing areas. The Dry Lake East Designated Leasing Area is representative of responsible development, using adaptive management strategies to ensure resources are managed correctly when approved and developed. Boulevard Associates, LLC will incorporate design features into their Plan of Development to minimize impacts to resources.
For more information, see the May 23, 2022, BLM press release.
On April 5, 2022, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a Notice of Competitive Offer and Notice of Segregation for Solar Energy Development in the Federal Register, announcing that it will accept competitive bids to determine a preferred right-of-way applicant for solar energy development on the Dry Lake East Designated Leasing Area, a 1,635-acre parcel of land in Clark County, Nevada.
The BLM will accept sealed bids at the Las Vegas Field Office through May 20, 2022, at 10 a.m. Pacific Time via U.S. Mail, or hand delivered to:
Bureau of Land Management
Attn: Energy and Infrastructure Team
4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89130
Electronic bids will not be accepted. On May 20, 2022, at 1 p.m. Pacific Time, the BLM will open and review all sealed bids for preferred applicant consideration.
The BLM previously completed a Resource Management Plan Amendment and designated the Dry Lake East Designated Leasing Area in January 2020, after coordinating with local, state, and Federal agencies, and consulting with Tribal governments.
The Invitation for Bids package and additional background information are available on the Dry Lake East Designated Leasing Area Environmental Assessment and RMP Amendment project website.
For more information, please contact Beth Ransel at 702-515-5000.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Stillwater Field Office is requesting public comment on a preliminary environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed phase two of the Luning Solar Energy Project submitted by Liberty Utilities LLC. The project would be located next to the existing Luning Solar facility, approximately four miles northeast of Luning, Nevada, in Mineral County. Public comments will be accepted through October 25, 2021.
This EA analyzes a proposal by Liberty Utilities, LLC for a right-of-way, which includes the construction activities and operations associated with the development of the Luning Solar Energy Project Phase II as an expansion of the existing Luning Solar Energy Project Phase I facility. The proposed project would cover 560 acres and consist of several primary components, including approximately 195,000–224,000 photovoltaic modules mounted on single axis trackers, interior and perimeter access roads, a 300-square foot storage building, an electrical collection system, batteries, and power inverters with medium voltage transformers connecting to the existing substation, which will be expanded by 8,700 square feet within the Luning Solar Energy Project Phase I project area. An existing 120-kilovolt generation-tie transmission line would connect the project to the existing NV Energy Table Mountain substation, approximately one mile from the project. The new and existing solar facilities would be operated in a coordinated fashion to restrict the total output from the facilities to a maximum of 50 megawatts.
The Preliminary EA, instructions for submitting comments, and additional project information are available on BLM's Luning Solar Energy Project Phase II project website.
For more information, please contact Katy Paiva at 775-885-6034.
On June 29, 2021, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that MGM Resorts has begun to bring 130 megawatts (MW) of power online from its MEGA Solar Array project. The MEGA Solar Array renewable energy project is located 15 miles northeast of Las Vegas within the Dry Lake Solar Energy Zone (SEZ) on 715 acres of public land managed by the BLM Las Vegas Field Office.
In 2015, the BLM approved three solar energy projects on six parcels in the Dry Lake SEZ as a result of a competitive leasing auction and successfully completing the environmental assessment. One of the other approved solar projects, the 179 MW Switch Solar project, has been operational since December 2017. The final two parcels were successfully bid by NV Energy and construction is expected to begin in 2022.
For more details, see the BLM Press Release.
On November 6, 2020, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced the approval of the Yellow Pine Solar Project. This decision is supported by the analysis included in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for this project issued in September 2020 under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The Record of Decision (ROD) approves two separate-but-connected right-of-way applications, collectively known as the Yellow Pine Solar Project. First, the ROD approves Yellow Pine Solar, LLC's, right-of-way on public land to construct, operate and maintain a proposed solar energy generation station, with approximately 500 megawatts of generating capacity and ancillary facilities including battery storage. The ROD also approves GridLiance West, LLC's, right-of-way on public land to construct, operate, and maintain a GridLiance West 230-kilovolt Trout Canyon Substation and associated 230-kilovolt transmission line.
The Record of Decision, Final EIS, and other relevant documents are available through BLM National NEPA Register.
For more information, please contact the acting energy & infrastructure project manager at 702-515-5284.
On September 4, 2020, The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for the Yellow Pine Solar Project.
The Final EIS addresses two separate-but-connected right-of-way applications for the Yellow Pine Solar Project. Yellow Pine Solar, LLC, and GridLiance West, LLC, seek to construct, operate, and maintain the project on about 3,000 acres of BLM-administered land in Clark County, Nevada, approximately 10 miles southeast of Pahrump and about 32 miles west of Las Vegas. The project applications include an approximately 500-megawatt solar energy generation station, including battery storage; and a 230‑kilovolt substation and associated 230-kV transmission line.
Key issues raised during the public comment period on the Draft EIS included potential biological, cultural, tribal, soils, vegetation, hydrological, visual and recreational resource impacts, fire risk/hazard, project alternatives, project design features/mitigation, and cumulative effects. The Final EIS includes the revisions made to address the comments on the Draft EIS, including incorporating recommendations from scientific literature and agency funded research to provide additional analysis and documentation on potential impacts and benefits to soils and vegetation.
The Final EIS and other relevant documents are available through BLM's ePlanning website. Following a 30-day Final EIS availability and review period, a Record of Decision will be issued.
For more information, please contact, Whitney Wirthlin, Acting Energy & Infrastructure Project Manager, at 702-515-5284.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has issued the Record of Decision (ROD) for Solar Partners XI, LLC's application for a right-of-way (ROW) grant for the Gemini Solar Project. This decision is supported by the analysis included in the Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) and Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) issued in December 2019 under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
The project within the jurisdiction of the BLM's Las Vegas Field Office will be constructed, operated, and maintained entirely on about 7,100 acres of BLM-administered lands located about 30 miles northeast of Las Vegas in Clark County, Nevada. The project includes a 690-megawatt photovoltaic solar electric generating facility, the largest solar project in U.S. history, and ancillary facilities, such as 34.5-kilovolt overhead and underground collector lines, a 2-acre operation and maintenance facility, three substations, various roads, perimeter fencing, water storage tanks for fire protection, drainage control features, a potential on-site water well or a new water pipeline, and improvements to existing NV Energy facilities to support interconnection. The project also includes a 380-megawatt solar-powered battery system able to store and deploy over 1,400 megawatt hours. The Project is expected to be constructed in two phases. The first phase of power generation could come on-line in 2021 with final completion as early as 2022.
The FEIS along with the ROD are available through BLM's ePlanning website. For more information, please contact the Las Vegas Field Office at [email protected], or [email protected].
The BLM Las Vegas Field Office is reviewing two separate-but-connected right-of-way applications for the Yellow Pine Solar Project. Yellow Pine Solar, LLC (YPS) and GridLiance West, LLC (GLW) seek to construct, operate, and maintain the facility on about 3,000 acres of BLM-administered land, which is located about 10 miles southeast of Pahrump and about 32 miles west of Las Vegas in Clark County, Nevada. The project application includes: 1) an up to 500-megawatt photovoltaic solar energy generation station including battery storage; and 2) a 230-kilovolt substation and associated 230-kV transmission line.
On March 20, 2020, the BLM released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement analyzing the environmental impacts of the proposed Yellow Pine Solar Project. The Draft EIS and other relevant documents are available through BLM's ePlanning website. The BLM has opened a 45-day public comment period, which will end on May 4, 2020. Comments can be submitted in one of three ways: 1) Email: [email protected]; 2) Fax: 702-515-5023; or 3) Mail: Yellow Pine Solar Project, Attn: Herman Pinales, BLM Las Vegas Field Office, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130. Public meetings to discuss the project and its anticipated impact on BLM-managed public lands and resources may be held; alternative ways to provide stakeholder engagement are also currently being explored. The BLM will announce details of any meetings at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media releases, mailings, and on the BLM's ePlanning website.
For more information, please contact, Herman Pinales, Energy & Infrastructure Project Manager, at 702‑515‑5284.
In late December 2019 the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the Proposed Resource Management Plan Amendment and Final Environmental Impact Statement analyzing the environmental impacts of the proposed Gemini Solar Project. Solar Partners, XI LLC (Arevia) proposes to construct, operate and eventually decommission the Gemini Solar Project, which consists of an approximately 690-megawatt alternating current solar photovoltaic power generating facility on roughly 7,100 acres of BLM administered land located about 33 miles northeast of Las Vegas and directly south of the Moapa River Indian Reservation. The Hybrid (BLM Preferred) Alternative would involve solar development utilizing a combination of traditional development methods in solar array areas (on roughly 2,500 acres) and mowing that leaves vegetation and natural land contours in place on the remaining solar array areas (on approximately 4,600 acres).
The BLM received 114 substantive letters and 1,147 individual substantive comments during the 90-day public comment period. Comments on the Draft RMP Amendment and EIS were considered and incorporated as appropriate into the Proposed RMP Amendment and Final EIS. Public comments did not result in the addition of substantive revisions to the Draft RMP Amendment and EIS that were published in June 2019. Responses to all comments are located in Appendix L of the Final EIS.
The FEIS and other relevant documents are available on the BLM's ePlanning website. The BLM will issue a Record of Decision within approximately 90 days of the publication of the December 27, 2019, Notice of Availability of the FEIS. The Record of Decision will be also be announced in a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register.
For more information, please contact Nicholas Pay, Acting Energy & Infrastructure Project Manager, at 702‑515‑5284.
The Bureau of Land Management Las Vegas Field Office is seeking public comments on the proposed Gemini Solar Project in Clark County, Nevada. The Gemini Solar Project would consist of the construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning of solar modules and associated facilities necessary to generate up to 690 megawatts of electricity. The proposed project area includes 7,115 acres of public land 25 miles northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, and extends approximately six miles north to south and four miles east to west, located adjacent and south/southeast of Interstate 15.
It is estimated that the project would generate up to 2,000 direct jobs at peak construction, with a permanent staff of seven operating the facility after construction.
A Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Land Use Plan Amendment, and a Notice of Segregation for the Proposed Gemini Solar Project in Clark County, Nevada was published in the July 13, 2018, Federal Register, opening a 45-day public comment period which closes on August 27, 2018.
The BLM will announce scoping meetings at least 15 days in advance in a news release that will be posted on the Bureau's website.
The BLM will consult with Native American tribes on a government-to-government basis in accordance with the applicable laws, regulations, Executive order 13175, and other policies. Tribal concerns will be given due consideration, including impacts in Indian Trust assets.
Written comments may be mailed to the BLM, Southern Nevada District, Energy & Infrastructure Project Manager, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV, 89130, or emailed to [email protected] or faxed to 702-515-5023. For more information, please call Herman Pinales at telephone 702-515-5284.
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.
The Bureau of Land Management's Las Vegas Field Office is seeking public comments on a proposed energy project. The Yellow Pine Solar Project (Project) includes 9,290 acres of lands managed by the BLM and would generate up to 1,200 jobs at peak construction. The Project would consist of construction, operation, maintenance and eventual decommissioning of a 250-megawatt solar generation facility. The project's substation would have an interconnection point with the Valley Electric grid for connection to California. The proposed project is located in Clark County at the intersection of Nevada State Route 160 and Tecopa Road, approximately 10 miles southeast of Pahrump, Nevada, and approximately 32 miles west of Las Vegas.
A Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and a Notice of Segregation for the Project was published on June 1 and opened a public comment period which closes on August 30, 2018. The Environmental Impact Statement will evaluate the proposed Project while the temporary segregation of public lands within the application area will promote the BLM's orderly administration of those lands.
The purpose of the public scoping process is to identify relevant issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis, including alternatives, and guide the process for developing the EIS. At present, the BLM has identified the following preliminary issues: threatened and endangered species, cultural resources, visual resources, surface water, recreation, socioeconomic effects and cumulative impacts. The congressionally designated Old Spanish National Historic Trail crosses the area. Habitat for the federally listed desert tortoise is in this proposal area.
Written comments may be mailed to the BLM, Southern Nevada District, Renewable Energy Project Manager, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130, or emailed to [email protected]. For more information, please call Herman Pinales at (702) 515-5284.
More information about the project can be found on the BLM's ePlanning website.
Before including your address, phone number, email address or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment — including your personal identifying information — may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.