A major renewable energy project is moving forward in southwestern Nevada after federal land managers completed a rapid environmental review.
Using an accelerated 14-day environmental review process, the Bureau of Land Management has authorized the Pearl Geothermal Development Project on BLM managed public lands in Esmerelda County.
With the environmental assessment now complete under emergency permitting procedures, the Bureau of Land Management is working with Ormat Nevada Inc. to finalize permits for the project.
Once issued, Ormat Nevada Inc. may begin construction of two 30 megawatt air-cooled binary geothermal power plants, along with associated wells and facilities, and a 29-mile, 120 kilovolt electrical transmission line. Maximum disturbance for the project will be 1,257 acres of public lands. Disturbed construction areas, when no longer needed, will be restored as close as practicable to pre-construction conditions.
The project is expected to generate about 60 megawatts of geothermal electricity, which, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, is enough energy to power nearly 50,000 homes. Geothermal and other energy developed on BLM managed public lands contributes about $2 billion annually to Nevada’s economy.
Additional details about the project are available at the BLM National NEPA Register.
