The Bureau of Land Management announced approval of the Rough Hat Clark Solar Project, the 48th renewable energy project approved on public lands under President Biden’s leadership. The up-to-700 megawatts (MW) from Rough Hat Clark bring the total capacity approved during the Biden-Harris Administration to 13.5 gigawatts, enough clean energy to power nearly 6 million homes.
Candela Renewables, LLC, proposed to construct, operate, maintain, and eventually decommission a 400 MW alternating current solar photovoltaic power generating facility and 700 MW battery energy storage system on approximately 2,469 acres of public lands in the Pahrump Valley approximately 38 miles west of Las Vegas.
To ensure thorough evaluation of potential effects, the BLM worked closely with Federal, state, Tribal, and local governments, and offered several public comment periods. Feedback was incorporated into the final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision.
Since January 2021, BLM has approved 47 renewable energy projects on public lands (13 solar, 14 geothermal, two wind, and 18 gen-ties) and exceeded the goal to permit 25 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2025. Overall, BLM has permitted clean energy projects on public lands with a total capacity of nearly 35 gigawatts – enough to power more than 15 million homes. Last year, BLM issued a final Renewable Energy Rule that will lower consumer energy costs and the cost of developing solar and wind projects, improve project application processes, create jobs, and incentivize developers to continue responsibly developing solar and wind projects on public lands. The BLM has also advanced new tools to shorten permitting times for geothermal energy.
The Record or Decision and planning documents are available at the?BLM National NEPA Register.
