A solar project in Nevada by McCarthy.
On August 4, Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo sent a letter to Sec. of Interior Doug Burgum asking for guidance on changes to solar energy development on federal lands, according to E&E News. The governor said the Dept. of Interior memo announcing the secretary himself would review solar and wind leases, rights-of-way, construction and operation plans, grants, consultations and biological opinions on public lands has frozen solar projects already deep in the development pipeline.
“The memo has not only stopped solar development on federal lands in Nevada, but also on private land where federal approvals such as transmission line rights of way are required,” Lombardo wrote.
He noted the memo has most notably affected three solar projects under development to serve Nevada’s largest utility NV Energy: Boulder Solar III by 174 Power Global, Dry Lake East by NextEra and Libra by SB Energy.
“Without clarifying guidance and processes, I am concerned the memo will prevent or unnecessarily delay energy development in the state that is poised to help meet the growing energy demands of the mining industry and data centers,” Lombardo wrote.