If approved, the seven adjacent solar photovoltaic projects would collectively produce up to 6.2 gigawatts (GW) of clean electricity – enough to power roughly 1.6 million average homes, according to the EPA Calculator.
The BLM analyzed the environmental effects of these seven projects together in one document because they would be constructed adjacent to each other within an approximately 118,000-acre area of public lands in Big Smoky Valley near Tonopah. The environmental impact statement analyzes proposed management changes; implementation of design features on air, biological, hydrologic, and visual resources; cultural and Native American concerns; socioeconomics; and environmental justice.
The BLM will host one virtual public meeting and one in-person public meeting. The dates, times, location of these meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance on the project’s BLM National NEPA Register. Further information on the project and how to register for the meetings is available at the BLM National NEPA Register.
Written comments must be received by Oct. 24, 2024, and reference Esmeralda 7 in the subject line for mailed and emailed comments. Options to submit include:
- Online via the Participate Now tab of the BLM National NEPA Register (preferred)
- By mail to BLM Esmeralda Seven Project Manager, 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 89820
- Email to BLM_NV_BMDO_P&EC_NEPA@blm.gov
Recently, the Department of the Interior announced that BLM had achieved the major milestone of permitting 25 gigawatts of clean energy projects, including solar, wind, geothermal, and gen-ties (transmission lines that cross public lands to connect renewable energy projects on private lands to the grid). As of July 2024, an additional 70 utility-scale clean energy projects—with the potential to produce more than 32 gigawatts of renewable energy— are being processed by the BLM throughout the western United States. In addition, the agency has begun the preliminary review of nearly 170 applications for solar and wind development, as well as more than 40 applications for solar and wind energy site testing.