Priority List Projects

Here are last year's “fast-track” renewable energy projects located in Nevada and three new "priority projects" identified by the BLM for 2011—and information about how the Nevada Wilderness Project evaluates them and participated in the processes that determined their outcome. Click on a project name on the map (left) to jump to a full info page about that project. Use the chart below to get an over-all picture of their status and/or to go directly to specific information. Take a Google Earth tour around the state of all the fast-track projects. If you need Google Earth - Download it here. Read more about our process for evaluating these projects and determining whether they are "smart from the start." These "fast-track" projects were deemed by the BLM to be far enough along in planning and permitting to be cleared for approval by December 2010, thus making them eligible for economic stimulus funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Five of them made the deadline and were approved. They are the Southwest Intertie Project, Crescent Dunes, Amargosa Farm Road, Silver State North and Jersey Valley. Others are pending approval, and we will continue to monitor these proposals throughout 2011-12. All renewable energy projects proposed for BLM-managed lands receive full environmental reviews required by the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA).” Why is this important to a group that works on wilderness and wildlands conservation? Because we see a unique opportunity--the kind that comes around once in a generation--to reap the benefits of renewable energy AND advance wildlife and habitat conservation at the same time. (Last update: 5/2/2011) Overview: Fast-track and priority renewable energy projects in NV. Project Name Type of Energy Developer Potential Output Status of Notice of Intent? Status of Draft EIS Public Comment Due? Media Articles Issues Is it "smart from the start?" 2011 "Priority Projects" Salt Wells Ormat Technologies 40 MW Salt Wells Vulcan 120 MV Fallon / Salt Wells Sierra Pacific Power Co. 230 MW 2010 Fast-tracks Southwest Intertie Project, or SWIP (Also called One Nevada Line) LSPower & NV Energy 500 kV Notices to proceed for southern portion Completed in 1994 Finding of No Significant Impact released 7/30/10 Notices to proceed issued Most Recent See All Greater sage-grouse habitat yes Spring Valley Pattern Energy Group 150 MW Published Draft EA completed 7/19/10; Comment period closed 8/18/10 Record of Decision signed 10/15/10 Most Recent See All Migratory bats (1 million population) no Crescent Dunes Solar Reserve 180 MW Published 11/24/09 Draft EIS completed 9/3/10 NWP's 10/18/10 comments on Draft EIS; Record of Decision signed 12/2010 Most Recent See All Rare beetle species yes, with changes Silver State North & South Nextlight 407 MW Published 6/30/09 Draft EIS completed 4/16/10 Final EIS released 9/20/10 NWP's 5/31/10  comments on draft 50 MW project approved 10/13/10 Read DOI press release about approval Desert tortoise habitat; rare plant species yes Jersey Valley Ormat Technologies 30 MW Published Approval granted by BLM 6/28/10 sage grouse; migratory birds McGinness Hills Ormat Technologies 30 MW Published Scoping letter for construction issued 8/10/10 comments closed 9/8/10 (test drilling approved) Approved 12/2010 sage grouse leks yes Amargosa Farm Road Solar Millenium 484 MW Published 7/13/09 Draft EIS completed 3/19/10; Final EIS issued 10/15/10 NWP's 4/23/10 comments on the draft EIS; Final approval granted 11/15/10 Most Recent; Read NWP's news release about approval Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge nearby yes Searchlight Duke Energy 200 MW Published 12/16/08 Pending Most Recent local community resistance; transmission issues evaluating Blue Mountain Geothermal Power Plant Nevada Geothermal Power, Inc. 45 MW/120 kV Project in Operation 10/12/09 Project in Operation 10/12/09 n/a n/a Dixie Meadows Terra-Gen Power, LLC 62 MW published Dixie Meadows/Coyote Canyon combined EA released 4/8/10 preliminary  comment period closed 5/10/10 bats; bighorn sheep Coyote Canyon Terra-Gen Power, LLC 62 MW published Dixie Meadows/Coyote Canyon combined EA released 4/8/10 preliminary comment period closed 5/10/10 bighorn sheep New York Canyon Terra-Gen Power, LLC 62 MW published draft EA for drilling released 4/1/10 preliminary EA comment period closed 4/30/10 raptors; migratory bird habitat