The BLM and the Western Area Power Administration are in the process of preparing the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Quartzsite Solar Energy Project. The ROD is anticipated to be released in mid-2013.
Quartzsite Solar Energy, LLC, proposes to construct a 100-megawatt solar-powered electrical generation facility about 10 miles north of Quartzsite and adjacent to Arizona State Route 95 in La Paz County. The generation plant, power line and ancillary facilities would be on BLM-administered land.
The proposed project would use concentrating solar “power tower” technology to capture the sun’s heat to make steam, which would power traditional steam turbine generators.
The solar power facility would include a 653-foot tower, which would be the receiver of energy reflected from solar fields. The solar fields are made up of heliostats, which are a collection of mirrors. The project would also include a thermal energy storage system.
The proposal calls for the BLM's Yuma Field Office to amend the visual resource management classes in its land use plan to allow the project.
BLM's project manager for the Quartzsite Solar Energy Project:
Eddie Arreola
(602) 417-9505
earreaola@blm.gov
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