BLM seeks comments on Amargosa Valley Solar Energy Zone leasing
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LAS VEGAS – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comment on an environmental analysis for leasing 7,232 acres of public lands within the Amargosa Valley Solar Energy Zone for solar energy development. The parcel of land is located approximately 45 miles northwest of Pahrump and 11 miles south of Beatty on the south side of U.S. Highway 95. The comment period will end June 17, 2022.
Advancing the environmental reviews for leasing within the Amargosa Valley Solar Energy Zone supports President Biden’s goal of creating a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035, and to permit at least 25 gigawatts of solar, wind, and geothermal production on public lands by 2025.
“The Pahrump Field Office has received interest in solar energy development in the Amargosa Valley Solar Energy Zone spurred by the proposed Greenlink West Power Transmission line,” said Nicholas Pay, Pahrump Field Office Manager. “Solar Energy Zones, such as the Amargosa Valley Solar Energy Zone, are the BLM’s preferred location for utility-scale solar energy development. We look forward to the public’s comments on the environmental review for this Solar Energy Zone.”
The BLM manages public lands for many uses, including sustainable energy development. 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, such as the Amargosa Valley Solar Energy Zone. The lease, if issued, would also contain terms, conditions, and stipulations to protect endangered species and cultural resources and ensure development is safe and environmentally responsible. After the parcel is leased, the lessee must submit a site-specific plan of development for additional environmental analysis before energy development can begin.
Comments that would be the most helpful during the review period are those that identify any new or changed circumstances that may affect the development of the Solar Energy Zone.
The Determination of NEPA Adequacy is on the BLM ePlanning project website at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2019939/510. Written comments can be submitted by email to: BLM_NV_SND_EnergyProjects@blm.gov or by mail to: Bureau of Land Management, Pahrump Field Office, Attn: Energy & Infrastructure Team, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89130. Written comments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on June 17, 2022.
The BLM manages vast stretches of public lands that have the potential to make significant contributions to the nation’s renewable energy portfolio. To promote our clean energy goals, the BLM provides sites for environmentally sound development of renewable energy on public lands and new transmission routes to connect into the grid.
For additional information, please contact Beth Ransel at (702) 515-5000 or BLM_NV_SND_EnergyProjects@blm.gov.
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.