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Nevada's Energy Clash: Geothermal Leases Overlap Solar Projects
19 Oct
Summary
- Geothermal leases in Nevada overlap thousands of acres of planned solar projects.
- NextEra Energy expressed concerns over conflicts with its planned Sawtooth Energy Center.
- The Bureau of Land Management stated federal lands are managed for multiple uses.
The US Interior Department is proceeding with the sale of geothermal leases across 265,691 acres in Nevada this week. However, thousands of these acres significantly overlap with land designated for major solar projects by developers such as NextEra Energy and Leeward Renewable Energy.
NextEra Energy, a leading renewable energy owner, had requested the removal or reconfiguration of three geothermal parcels, citing overlap with approximately 6,000 acres of its planned Sawtooth Energy Center in Nye County. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) denied this request in August, asserting that federal lands are managed for diverse purposes.
Maps reveal overlaps involving six proposed geothermal parcels and four substantial solar developments. While one parcel fully overlapping NextEra's project was apparently removed from the auction, the BLM has added descriptions and maps of other overlapping areas to the sale documents.
Leeward Renewable Energy also reported a geothermal parcel overlapping 735 acres of its proposed Lone Mountain solar project. The BLM has acknowledged these overlaps and stated that if a solar project is approved first, it would hold the senior right, requiring geothermal development to avoid impacts.
