By Jennifer Solis, Nevada Current
The Trump administration has pulled a plug on its review of a massive solar project in Nevada, which increases one of the world’s largest solar farms – at least according to its concept.
On Thursday, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) canceled the Environmental Review of the Esimalida Seven Solar Project-which is a wide range of geographically seven geographically Utility Scale solar projects that will cover 30 miles west of the Tonopah in Newda.
The joint project was suggested by six solar companies, including the Nextra Energy Resources, Leverely Renewable Energy, Irivia Power and Innocents.
It is expected that the solar panel and battery network are expected to be 6.2 GW watts of energy in ideal conditions, or will generate enough electricity to provide electricity to about 2 million homes.
After months of delay, the Home Department said that it was canceling its wider environmental review of the joint venture and would rather review the seven projects that “separate” to “analyze potential effects”.
The Home Department said that the affected energy companies will now have the option to submit a separate request for their individual project suggestions.
“The BLM did not cancel the project. During the usual discussions in the customs, supporters and BLM agreed to change their view for the ESMRIRD 7 solar project in Nevada,” said an email in an email on Friday.
The email continued, “Applicants now have the option of presenting an individual project proposals to the BLM to analyze the potential effects more effectively, instead of getting programming environmental analysis.”
It is unclear how many affected solar companies will continue to follow individual projects in which these proposals will be reviewed after a change.
A spokesman for the Nextra Energy Resources said the company is committed to their individual projects, such as the Esermalda Energy Center – a part of the Esarralda Seven solar project.
“Nextra Energy Resources is one of the six companies implementing projects in Smalida County, Nevada, a spokeswoman for the Nextra Energy Resources said in an e -mail on Friday. We are in the early stages of development and are working with the Bureau of Land Management to achieve a comprehensive environmental analysis of our project.”
“We have no information to share the project updates in connection with the project’s update,” said Elvard Energy’s spokesman, one of the companies involved in the Esimalida Seven solar project.
Representatives of the other four energy companies involved in developing the Esimalda Seven Solar project did not respond to the requests for comment.
Basin and Range Watch co -founder Kevin Emriik said he was anxious to re -submit the applications after the “revenue and road block” by the administration and the road block “.
In July, the Trump administration ordered that solar and wind energy projects on public lands were personally approved by Doug Bergam, a doorstep that the Nevada Government, which said Lombardo, has already stopped several solar projects in the state.
Emrik, who opposed the Esarralda Seven solar project, said it was not surprising that the project’s widespread environmental review was canceled in view of the new rules under the Trump administration, and that each project would be the only approval and even more burdensome.
“Solar and air energy have several new layers of approval for each individual project, so this programming review makes it very difficult for these seven projects to be very difficult,” Emrik said.
Federal Land Managers began reviewing the joint developers’ joint proposals in 2023 under former President Joe Biden. But since Donald Trump took office, the project’s environmental review has been halted.
The Federal Land Managers were expected to issue a final statement of environmental impact for the project – at the end of April – the last step before the decision record was released, but no action took place.
The project has attracted strong opposition to locals and protection groups that can negatively impact the volume of the project on the environment and the lifestyle of rural communities.
Several protection groups have asked Federal Land Managers to move the Esimalda Seven solar project to areas that the BLM has kept as “solar zone”. Esermoda County has two solar zones, with about 21,000 acres of land.
Sharon Nitton, Executive Director of the Friends of Nevada Wilden, said he hopes the cancellation of Esimalda Seven Solar Project “will be an opportunity to move forward to find better sites for solar development.”
“We need to focus on disturbing areas before using the wide parts of our public lands and use warehouse and data center roofs for solar and data center roofs,” said Nitton, who opposed the joint venture.
“The Story County is being fully prepared for industrial buildings. It will be a great place to cover with solar,” he said.
Locals have also expressed disappointment over the lack of communication of solar companies when proposing the projects. More than a dozen solar companies have proposed their projects in the county, said Fred Perez, Commissioner of Esarralda County. Perez said none of these companies have been able to talk to him, including companies that consist of the Esimalda Seven solar project.
Ben Norris, Vice President of the Solar Energy Industries Association’s Regulatory Affairs, said that in the final phase of the BLM review process, it needs to further clarify its clear decision to suddenly cancel these solar projects.
“We are deeply concerned that this administration is continuing the law for the loss of consumers, grids, and US economic competition,” said Noris.
Nevada Current is part of the Status Newsroom, a non -profit news network that has helped the Grant and Donors coalition support 501C (3) as a public charity. Nevada Current Editorial maintains independence. Contact Editor Hue Jackson for questions: [email protected].
