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BLM seeks input on proposed Copper Rays Solar Project in Nevada

Nevada
Southern Nevada DO
Pahrump FO
Media Contact

LAS VEGAS – The Bureau of Land Management has opened a 90-day comment period on the Copper Rays Solar Project, a proposed 700 megawatt (MW) photovoltaic solar project with 700 MW of battery storage on about 4,414 acres of BLM land in Nye County, Nevada.  

“Public input is critical as we continue to evaluate the proposed project,” said Pahrump Field Manager Nicholas Pay. “The most useful comments concern the resource analysis, specifically the identified environmental effects from the proposed action and alternatives, and potential measures that could be taken to reduce or eliminate those effects.” 

The Copper Rays Solar Project would be in the Pahrump Valley, immediately adjacent to the Clark County line, southeast of the town of Pahrump, and approximately 40 miles west of Las Vegas. 

The 90-day comment period on the Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) opened today and will close December 19, 2024. 

BLM intends to host one virtual and one in-person public meeting. See the meeting details below: 

  • Pahrump, Nev. on October 22, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time PDT at the Pahrump Nugget Hotel and Casino, 681 NV-160, Pahrump, Nev., 89048. 

As of September 2024, the Biden-Harris administration has approved 41 renewable energy projects on public lands (10 solar, 13 geothermal, and 18 gen-ties) and exceeded the goal to permit 25 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2025. In total, the BLM has now permitted clean energy projects on public lands with a total capacity of approximately 29 gigawatts of power – enough to power over 12 million homes. This year, the BLM also issued a final Renewable Energy Rule that will lower consumer energy costs and the cost of developing solar and wind projects, improve project application processes, and incentivize developers to continue responsibly developing solar and wind projects on public lands.   

Interested parties may mail written comments to the BLM Pahrump Field Office, Attn: Copper Rays Solar Project, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nev. 89130 or email comments to BLM_NV_SND_EnergyProjects@blm.gov. Comments may also be submitted using the “Participate Now” function at the BLM National NEPA Register. 

BLM is utilizing the NEPA process to comply with the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. BLM has incorporated the Section 106 process into the draft EIS, and we encourage consulting parties and the public to review and comment on the process. 

For more information, please contact Jessica Headen, Project Manager, at 702-515-5206 or email BLM_NV_SND_EnergyProjects@blm.gov. 

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, BLM provides sites for environmentally sound development of renewable energy on public lands and new transmission routes to connect into the grid. 

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.