Carson City District-Stillwater Field Office
| Contacts: | Mark Struble | , Public Affairs Officer | , 775-885-6107 |
BLM Presenting Salt Wells Energy Projects to Churchill County Commissioners on October 21
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carson City District-Stillwater Field Office will make a presentation to the Churchill County Commissioners on the proposed Salt Wells Energy Projects at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 21, 2009. Public scoping for the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) will be part of the regular agenda of the Churchill County Commissioners Meeting at 155 N. Taylor Street, Suite 155, Fallon, Nevada. BLM representatives and the project proponents will be available after the meeting to answer questions.
BLM will be preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) for two Salt Wells Energy geothermal energy projects and a proposed twenty-two mile long 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 may 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 facilities; 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 the public scoping meeting on October 21 or to the BLM-Carson City District-Stillwater Field 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
For more information, CLICK HERE to go to the project webpage, or call 775-885-6000.
The BLM manages more land - 253 million acres - than any other Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
Carson City District-Stillwater Field Office 5665 Morgan Mill Road Carson City, NV 89701