August 10, 2010 - BLM Opens Scoping for Abengoa Solar Inc. Energy Project near Big Dune
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking comments on a solar energy project proposed near Big Dune in the Amargosa Valley south of Beatty, Nevada. A Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the project, published in the Federal Register on, July 15, 2010 opening a 60-day public comment period that will end on September 12. Scoping meetings will be held in Amargosa Valley, Beatty, Pahrump, and Las Vegas.
The public is being asked to comment on Abengoa Solar, Inc.'s proposal to construct, operate, and maintain a parabolic-trough, dry-cooled concentrated solar power generation project on 5,336 acres of public land. The project will also contain a small photovoltaic facility for Abengoa's use. Preliminary identification of issues includes impacts to off-highway vehicle use and desert tortoise habitat. Water use at the project will be limited to human consumption, dust suppression, and solar panel cleaning.
Public meetings are scheduled in southern Nev. on August 10, 11, and 12, 2010 in Beatty, Amargosa Valley, Pahrump, and Las Vegas from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.:
Tuesday, August 10: Beatty Community Center Hall, 100 S. A Avenue, Beatty;
Wednesday, August 11: Amargosa Valley Community Center, 821 E. Amargosa Farm Road, Amargosa Valley;
Thursday, August 12: Pahrump Library, 701 East Street, Pahrump;
Tuesday, August 17: BLM Southern Nevada District Office, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas.
The scoping meetings will be held in an open house format. During the first half hour, the public will be able to view displays describing the area and elements of the project and ask questions followed by a public comment session.
Written comments may be mailed to the BLM, Southern Nevada District, Renewable Energy Projects Manager, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89130, or emailed to lwse_EIS@blm.gov. For more information, please call Greg Helseth at 702-515-5173.
July 15, 2010 - Lathrop Wells, Nye County, Nevada
A Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Abengoa Solar Inc., Lathrop Wells Solar Facility, Amargosa Valley, was issued today by the Bureau of Land Management.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Pahrump Nevada Field Office, Southern Nevada District Office intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and
identify issues.
The applicant, Spanish company Abengoa Solar Inc., has requested a right-of-way authorization for the construction, operation, maintenance, and termination of a solar energy generation project. The proposed Lathrop Wells Solar Facility project would consist of a concentrated solar power facility including a solar parabolic trough, photovoltaic panels, an electrical transmission substation, switchyard facilities, and a transmission line connecting to the existing Valley Electric Line south of the project. The proposed project would produce approximately 250 megawatts (MW) from a parabolic-trough, dry-cooled
solar power plant with the option to expand the facility by adding a second 250-MW unit. Additionally, the proposal may include up to 20 MW of photovoltaic solar power. The proposed project would be located on approximately 5,336 acres of public lands in the Amargosa Valley, Nye County, Nevada.
^Project facility, from May 2009 Plan of Development. The design may have changed since this was issued.
Comments on issues may be submitted in writing until September 13, 2010. The date(s) and location(s) of any scoping meetings will be announced at least 15 days in advance through local news media, newspapers and the BLM Web site at: http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/lvfo.html.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to the Abengoa Solar Inc., Lathrop Wells Solar Facility by any of the following methods:
E-mail: lwse_EIS@blm.gov
Fax: (702) 515-5010 (attention: Gregory Helseth)
Mail: Gregory Helseth, BLM Southern Nevada District Office, 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130-2301.
In person: At any EIS public scoping meeting.
Documents pertinent to this proposal may be examined at the BLM Southern Nevada District Office.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information and/or to have your name added to our mailing list, send requests to: BLM Southern Nevada District Office, Gregory Helseth, Renewable Energy Project Manager, Attn: Abengoa Lathrop Wells Solar Facility, 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89130; e-mail: Gregory_Helseth@blm.gov or lwse_EIS@blm.gov; or phone: (702) 515-5173.
Land of Creosote and Wildflowers
^Desert pincushion flowers (Chaenactis sp.), with Bursage (Ambrosia dumosa) flowering yellow in the background.
^The project site with Lathrop Wells in the distance.
^Snow on the Spring Range, as seen from the project site.
^Purple mat (Nama demissum).
^Project site in an open creosote flat looking east.
^Looking west towards the snowy Grapevine Mountains in Death Valley National Park, from the site.
^Juvenile Desert iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis).
^Project area looking southwest towards the Funeral Range in Death Valley National Park.
^Desert gold (Geraea canescens).
^Snowy Spring Range along Interstate highway 95 next to the project site.
^View looking towards the project site on the distant flat.
^Sunset in Amargosa Valley.
