The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is advancing nine solar energy projects across public lands in Nevada and Arizona, including the notable 5.35-gigawatt (GW) Esmeralda 7 proposal. This project comprises seven solar facilities equipped with battery storage.
Located on 118,000 acres of BLM-managed land near Tonopah, Nevada, Esmeralda 7 is currently undergoing a 45-day public comment period on the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement and Resource Management Plan Amendment. This environmental impact statement will underpin the environmental reviews for each project, with the BLM to determine whether to grant rights-of-way following these evaluations.
See also:
US Bureau of Land Management Seeks Public Input on Nevada Solar-Plus-Storage Projects
Additionally, the BLM has released the final environmental impact statement for the Libra solar project in Mineral and Lyon Counties, Nevada. This project includes 700 MW of solar capacity, a 700-MW battery, and a 24-mile generation tie-line.
A 30-day public comment period has also been opened for the draft environmental assessment of the Elisabeth solar project near Dateland, Arizona. This project features up to 270 MW of solar power and up to 300 MW of battery storage.
Collectively, the nine projects are expected to supply power to nearly 2 million homes, supporting President Biden's target of a carbon-free power sector by 2035.
This update follows the BLM's announcement in April of having approved over 25 GW of clean energy projects, ahead of the 2025 goal.
See also:
US Bureau of Land Management Reserves Nevada Land for 400 MW Solar Park Development
