BLM seeks public comment on the draft environmental assessment for the San Emidio II North Valley Geothermal Development Project
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WINNEMUCCA, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comments on a draft environmental assessment for the San Emidio II North Valley Geothermal Development Project proposed by Ormat Technologies Inc. The project supports the Trump Administration’s goals of achieving energy security, strengthening local economies and creating local jobs. The 30-day comment period will start June 11, 2020.
The 24,000-acre San Emidio Geothermal Unit includes nine federal geothermal leases and is located in the San Emidio Desert approximately 15 miles southwest of Gerlach, Nevada. The area has a long history of geothermal exploration and production that began in the late-1980s with the construction of the 3.6-megawatt Empire Geothermal Plant. Development and production of the San Emidio geothermal resource has continued since then, the plant facilities were expanded to produce 11.8 megawatts in 2012.
“The BLM actively supports the Trump Administration’s America First Energy Plan, an ‘all of the above’ strategy which supports energy development on public lands, improving infrastructure, and creating jobs in local economies,” said BLM Nevada’s State Director Jon Raby. “We look forward to receiving public input on the San Emidio II Project as we continue to evaluate this project.”
The project also supports Executive Order 13783: Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth and Secretary’s Order 3349: American Energy Independence.
As part of the next phase of development for this project, the BLM is analyzing the environmental effects of upgrading the current plant and potentially building a new power plant to produce up to 40 megawatts of electricity. Other construction will include a substation, up to 26 total geothermal production and injection wells, approximately 7.5 miles of aboveground pipelines and an approximately 58-mile long 120-Kilovolt overhead power line originating at the power plant that will terminate at the NV Energy Eagle Substation near Fernley, Nevada.
The draft EA for the NVGDP-SEGF can be viewed at: https://bit.ly/38ShWp7. The public is encouraged to provide comments via email: blm_nv_wdo_sanemidioii@blm.gov, by internet through the link listed in the next paragraph; or by mail:
Attn: Tai Subia (NVW010.28)
Bureau of Land Management
Winnemucca District Office
5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd.
Winnemucca, NV 89445.
Before including addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, or other personal identifying information in a comment, be aware that the entire comment—including personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While individuals may ask the BLM to withhold personal identifying information from public review, the BLM cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so. Public comments on the draft public EA must be submitted to the BLM by July 13, 2020.
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.