BLM seeks input on huge solar project near Tonopah
A closeup look at the solar panels used for the MGM Resorts Mega Solar Array during the launch of the 100-megawatt solar power facility Monday, June 28, 2021. The solar array facility will produce up to 90 percent of MGM Resorts Las Vegas daytime power.
Saturday, July 27, 2024 | 2 a.m.
TONOPAH — The U.S. Bureau of Land Management is taking comments on the draft environmental impact statement and resource management plan amendment for the proposed Esmeralda 7 Solar Project in Esmeralda County.
If approved, the seven adjacent solar photovoltaic projects would collectively produce up to 6.2 gigawatts of clean electricity — enough to power roughly 1.6 million average homes, according to the BLM using the Environmental Protection Agency Calculator.
The BLM analyzed the environmental effects of the seven projects together in one document because they would be constructed adjacent to each other within about 118,000 acres of public lands in Big Smoky Valley near Tonopah, according to Thursday's BLM announcement.
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.
"Public participation in the environmental review process is vitally important," Battle Mountain District Manager Douglas Furtado said. "BLM is committed to responsibly adding more clean energy to the grid."
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.