Salt Wells Geothermal Energy Projects EIS

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City District-Stillwater Field Office will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for two Salt Wells Energy geothermal energy projects and a proposed right-of way for transmission lines.  Ormat Technologies, Inc. and Vulcan Power Company are the proponents of the geothermal plants and Sierra Pacific Power Company is the application for the ROW.

The Salt Wells area is about 15 miles east of Fallon in Churchill County, Nevada. A Notice of Intent published in the Federal Register on September 11, 2009, opens a 60-day public scoping period.

BLM received the three proposals as separate projects, and determined that because of the same timing, geography and similarity of the types of actions, the three proposals will be analyzed in one EIS. A separate record of decision will be issued at the end of the process for each proposal.

Vulcan proposes the development of up to six geothermal power plants and facilities; Ormat proposes the development of one geothermal power plant and facility; and Sierra proposes above-ground electrical transmission lines, electrical substations, and switching facilities. The proposed facilities would be sited on private property and public land managed by the BLM and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

Written comments will be accepted through the close of business on Friday, November 13, 2009.  Comments may be submitted at public scoping meetings, to be announced 15 days prior to the meeting, or to the BLM Carson City District Office, Attn: Salt Wells Energy Projects, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV 89701; Fax: (775) 885-6147; or e-mail: saltwells_eis@blm.gov

Cooperating Agencies

Bureau of Reclamation
Churchill County
City of Fallon
NAS Fallon
Nevada Division of Minerals
Nevada Department of Wildlife

Project Links

Initial Project Fact Sheet-Salt Wells Energy Projects EIS (October 2009)

Initial Project Map - Proposed Salt Wells Energy Projects (2.53 mb in pdf format)

Federal Register Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS for the Salt Wells Energy Projects, Churchill County, NV (9/11/2009)

EIS Schedule

*Notice of Intent to Prepare EIS Published in the Federal Register - September 11, 2009

*Public Scoping Period - Through November 13, 2009

*Presentation to Churchill County Commissioners and Public Open House in Fallon - October 21, 2009

*End of Public Scoping Period - November 13, 2009

*Draft EIS Target Release Date - August 2010

*Final EIS Target Release Date - December 2010

*Target Date for the Records of Decision (3) - February 2011