DOCSLIB.ORG

Environmental Assessment for the Playa Solar Project

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Environmental Assessment for the Playa Solar Project U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Environmental Assessment DOI-BLM-NV-S010-2014-0127-EA December 2014 Playa Solar Project (Dry Lake Solar Energy Zone Parcels 2, 3, & 4) ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT U.S. Bureau of Land Management Southern Nevada District Office Las Vegas Field Office 4701 North Torrey Pines Drive Las Vegas, Nevada 89130 Phone: 702-515-5000 Fax: 702-515-5023 BLM Mission Statement It is the mission of the Bureau of Land Management to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. CONTENTS Environmental Assessment for Playa Solar Project (Dry Lake Solar Energy Zone Parcels 2, 3, & 4) Page Acronyms and Abbreviations v 1. Purpose and Need 1-1 1.1 Introduction 1-1 1.2 Background 1-2 1.3 Purpose and Need for Action and Decision to be Made 1-2 1.4 Resource Management Plan Conformance 1-5 1.5 Relationship to Other Plans and Analyses 1-6 1.6 Identification of Issues 1-8 1.7 Summary 1-10 2. Proposed Action and Alternatives 2-1 2.1 Introduction 2-1 2.2 Proposed Action 2-1 2.3 No Action Alternative 2-31 2.4 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Further Analysis 2-42 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences 3.1 Introduction 3.1-1 3.2 Cumulative Scenario 3.2-1 3.3 Air Resources 3.3-1 3.4 Areas of Critical Environmental Concern 3.4-1 3.5 Cultural Resources 3.5-1 3.6 Native American Religious Concerns 3.6-1 3.7 Wildlife, Excluding Federally Listed Species 3.7-1 3.8 Migratory Birds 3.8-1 3.9 Threatened, Endangered, and Candidate Animal Species 3.9-1 3.10 Vegetation, Excluding Federally Listed Species 3.10-1 3.11 Forestry 3.11-1 3.12 Invasive and Noxious Weeds 3.12-1 3.13 Geology and Mineral Resources 3.13-1 3.14 Soil Resources 3.14-1 3.15 Hazards and Hazardous Materials 3.15-1 3.16 Lands/Access 3.16-1 3.17 Military and Civilian Aviation 3.17-1 3.18 Recreation 3.18-1 3.19 Socio-economics and Environmental Justice 3.19-1 3.20 Transportation 3.20-1 3.21 Visual Resources 3.21-1 3.22 Water Resources 3.22-1 Playa Solar Project i December 2014 Environmental Assessment Contents Page 4. Coordination 4-1 4.1 Introduction 4-1 4.2 Persons, Groups, and Agencies Consulted 4-3 4.3 Summary of Public Participation 4-3 4.4 List of Preparers 4-3 5. Literature Cited 5-1 Appendices (CD inside front cover of printed hard copies) A. Legal Description A-1 B. Figures B-1 2-1 Project Location Map B-3 2-2 Preliminary Site Plan B-4 2-3 Typical Array Configurations B-5 2-4 Typical Mounting System B-6 2-5 Power Line Details B-7 3.8-1 Eagle Nests and Observations B-9 3.9-1 Desert Tortoise Translocation B-10 3.10-1 Vegetation Map B-11 3.12-1 Characteristic Landscape of the Project Site B-12 3.12-2 Visual Resource Inventory Values for Dry Lake SEZ B-13 3.12-3 Viewshed Analysis for Dry Lake SEZ B-14 3.12-4 Sensitive Visual Resource Areas and Viewsheds B-15 3.12-5 Project Location Map with KOPs and VRM Classifications B-16 3.12-6 View from KOP 1, U.S. 93 Eastbound Looking Southeast B-17 3.12-7 View from KOP 2, Dry Lake Bed Looking Southwest B-18 3.12-8 View from KOP 3, I-15 Southbound Looking Southwest B-19 3.12-9 View from KOP 4, Loves Travel Center Looking Northwest B-20 3.12-10 Photovoltaic Array Examples, Silver State North Solar B-21 3.12-11 Inverter Treatment B-22 3.12-12 Nighttime Lighting at PV Solar Facility Buildings B-23 C. Affected Resources Form C-1 D. Air Quality Modeling Results and Assumptions D-1 E. Visual Contrast Rating Sheets E-1 F. State Historic Preservation Office Letter of Concurrence F-1 List of Tables 2-1 Temporary and Permanent Disturbance 2-4 2-2 Wastes Potentially Generated by the Project 2-11 2-3 Hazardous Materials That May Be Used During Operation 2-12 2-4A Estimated On-Site Equipment for Solar Panel Array and Collection System Construction 2-19 2-4B Estimated On-Site Equipment for Onsite Substation Construction 2-20 2-4C Estimated On-Site Equipment for Gen-Tie Line Construction 2-21 2-5 Routine Maintenance Protocol 2-23 2-6 Federal, State, and Local Permits and Authorizations 2-25 2-7 Dry Lake Programmatic Design Features 2-26 Playa Solar Project ii December 2014 Environmental Assessment Contents Page List of Tables (continued) 3.2-1 Ongoing and Reasonably Foreseeable Actions Near the Dry Lake SEZ 3.2-2 3.3-1 2011 Annual Emissions of Criteria Pollutants in Clark County, Nevada 3.3-1 3.3-2 NAAQS, SAAQS, and Background Concentration Levels Representative of the Project Area in Clark County, Nevada, Year 2013 3.3-2 3.3-3 Annual Construction Emissions 3.3-4 3.3-4 Maximum Air Quality Impacts from Emissions Associated with Construction Activities for the Proposed Action 3.3-5 3.9-1 Project Area Survey Data Summary 3.9-2 3.19-1 Employment in Clark County and Nevada 3.19-1 3.19-2 Employment in Clark County by Sector, 2012 3.19-2 3.19-3 Unemployment Rates (%) in Clark County and Nevada, 2004-2014 3.19-2 3.19-4 Population Estimates and Projections for Clark County and Nevada 3.19-3 3.19-5 Personal Income in Clark County and Nevada 3.19-3 3.19-6 Urban Population and Income in Clark County, 2004-2014 3.19-4 3.19-7 Housing Characteristics in Clark County 3.19-4 3.19-8 Clark County School District Details (2011-2012 School Year) 3.19-5 3.19-9 Cumulative Scenario Workforce 3.19-9 3.21-1 Visual Contrast Ratings 3.21-3 3.21-2 KOP Location and Characteristics 3.21-3 3.21-3 Visual Contrast Rating Summary – Structures 3.21-6 3.21-4 Viewing Times of Proposed Project from Routes 3.21-7 4-1 List of All Persons, Agencies, and Organizations Consulted for Purposes of this EA 4-4 4-2 BLM Staff Contributing to the Preparation of this EA 4-6 4-3 Environmental Science Associates Staff Contributing to the Preparation of This EA 4-7 Playa Solar Project iii December 2014 Environmental Assessment Contents This page intentionally left blank Playa Solar Project iv December 2014 Environmental Assessment Acronyms and Abbreviations Acronyms and Abbreviations AC alternating current ACEC Area of Critical Environmental Concern AF acre-feet AFY acre-feet per year APLIC Avian Power Line Interaction Committee Applicant Playa Solar, LLC BA Biological Assessment BBCS Bird and Bat Conservation Strategy BLM Bureau of Land Management BMP best management practice BO Biological Opinion CFR Code of Federal Regulations DC direct current DOE United States Department of Energy DOI United States Department of the Interior DOT United States Department of Transportation EA Environmental Assessment EIS Environmental Impact Statement ESA Federal Endangered Species Act FLPMA Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 FONNSI Finding of No New Significant Impact gen-tie line generation-tie transmission line GHG greenhouse gas I-15 Interstate 15 KOP key observation point kV kilovolt(s) kVA kilovolt-ampere(s) LVFO BLM Nevada Las Vegas Field Office MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 MWac megawatt alternating current NDEP Nevada Department of Environmental Protection NDOW Nevada Department of Wildlife Playa Solar Project v December 2014 Environmental Assessment Acronyms and Abbreviations NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NHPA Nevada Historic Preservation Act NRHP National Register of Historic Places O&M operation and maintenance PA Programmatic Agreement PCS Power Conversion Station PEIS Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement POD Plan of Development PPE Personal Protective Equipment Project Playa Solar Project (Dry Lake SEZ Parcels 2, 3 and 4) Proposed Action Playa Solar Project (Dry Lake SEZ Parcels 2, 3 and 4) PV Photovoltaic PVCS Photovoltaic Combining Switchgear RMP Resource Management Plan ROD Record of Decision ROW right-of-way SHPO State Historic Preservation Officer SEZ Solar Energy Zone SRMS Solar Regional Mitigation Strategy SWPPP Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan US-93 United States Route 93 USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service VRM Visual Resource Management Playa Solar Project vi December 2014 Environmental Assessment CHAPTER 1 Purpose and Need 1.1 Introduction The Las Vegas Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) prepared this environmental assessment (EA) to analyze and disclose the environmental effects of developing parcels 2, 3, and 4 of the Dry Lake Solar Energy Zone Project (Proposed Action or Project) with a 200 megawatt alternating current (MWac) (nominal plant capacity)1 photovoltaic (PV) solar generating facility as proposed by Playa Solar, LLC (Applicant), a wholly owned subsidiary of First Solar, Inc. This EA is a project-specific analysis of potential impacts of the Proposed Action within the Dry Lake Solar Energy Zone (SEZ), which was analyzed in the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Solar Energy Development in Six Southwestern States (Solar PEIS) (BLM and U.S. Department of Energy [DOE] 2010; BLM and DOE 2012). This EA will assist the BLM in project planning and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Are DOE Loan Guarantees an Energy Policy Mistake?
    Greentech Media http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/print/Are-DOE-Loan-Guarantee... RESEARCH & ANALYSIS | POLICY ERIC WESOFF: JUNE 2, 2011 Are DOE Loan Guarantees an Energy Policy Mistake? It’s the Liberals versus the Libertarians: Is the DOE Loan Guarantee Program a righteous creator of jobs and new industry or a wrongful use of taxpayer money? The United States DOE Loan Guarantee Program has disbursed $30.7 billion and claims to have created or saved 62,350 jobs. The loan program has three categories: Section 1703 of Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 authorizes the DOE to support innovative clean energy technologies that are typically unable to obtain conventional private financing due to high technology risks. Section 1705 is a temporary program designed to address the current economic conditions of the nation. It authorizes loan guarantees for certain renewable energy systems, electric power transmission systems and leading edge biofuels projects that commence construction no later than September 30, 2011. The Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program consists of direct loans to support the development of advanced technology vehicles and associated components in the U.S. The more publicized loan guarantee recipients include Solyndra , BrightSource Energy , Ford, Fisker , and Tesla. (See the more complete list of loan recipients at the end of this article.) The Loan Program Office (LPO) has issued conditional commitments to 13 power generation projects with cumulative project costs of over $27 billion. This represents a greater investment in clean energy generation projects than the entire private sector made in 2009 ($10.6 billion), and almost as much as was invested in such projects in 2008 -- the peak financing year to date ($22.6 billion), according to the DOE.
    [Show full text]
  • Nevada Statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Projections, 1990-2020
    Nevada Statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Projections, 1990-2020 Nevada Division of Environmental Protection Updated - December 2008 Nevada Statewide Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Projections,1990-2020 Updated - December 2008 DISCLAIMER The information contained in the Nevada Statewide Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Projections, 1990-2020 report is for public use; every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. The information presented is as timely and accurate as practicable; no expressed or implied guarantees are made. Scenarios of potential future electrical generation that are presented in the section on Electrical Generation Sector Emissions are for informational purposes only and do not constitute any endorsement or implied preference. Information contained herein may be freely distributed and used for noncommercial, scientific, and educational purposes. Inquiries made in reference to this report should be directed to: Bureau of Air Quality Planning 901 South Stewart Street, Suite 4001 Carson City, Nevada 89701-5249 Telephone: (775) 687-4670 i Nevada Statewide Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Projections,1990-2020 Updated - December 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS DISCLAIMER................................................................................................................................i LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................................iii LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Climate Change Under NEPA: Avoiding Cursory Consideration of Greenhouse Gases
    University of Florida Levin College of Law UF Law Scholarship Repository UF Law Faculty Publications Faculty Scholarship 2010 Climate Change Under NEPA: Avoiding Cursory Consideration of Greenhouse Gases Amy L. Stein University of Florida Levin College of Law, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.law.ufl.edu/facultypub Part of the Environmental Law Commons Recommended Citation Amy L. Stein, Climate Change Under NEPA: Avoiding Cursory Consideration of Greenhouse Gases, 81 U. Colo. L. Rev. 473 (2010), available at http://scholarship.law.ufl.edu/facultypub/503 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Faculty Scholarship at UF Law Scholarship Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in UF Law Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of UF Law Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. CLIMATE CHANGE UNDER NEPA: AVOIDING CURSORY CONSIDERATION OF GREENHOUSE GASES AMY L. STEIN* Neither the National Environmental Policy Act ("NEPA') nor its implementing regulations require consideration of climate change in NEPA documentation. Yet an ever- growing body of NEPA case law related to climate change is making it increasingly difficult for a federal agency to avoid discussing the impacts of those emissions under NEPA in its Environmental Impact Statements ("EISs'). Although consideration of climate change in NEPA docu- ments sounds right in theory, within the current legal framework, the NEPA documents provide only lip service to the goals of NEPA without any meaningful consideration of climate change. An empirical evaluation of two years of se- lected EISs demonstrates that the degree of "consideration" is far from meaningful, an outcome that fails to reflect the purposes behind NEPA.
    [Show full text]
  • United States Department Ofthe Interior
    United States Department ofthe Interior FISH AND Wll.DLIFE SERVICE Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office ·' 2493 Portola Road, Suite B Ventura, california 93003 Dl REPLY IUiFlIIlTO: Bl440-201G-F-D096 . 8-8-1G-F-24 , : October 1.2010 ,I DATE-, (CCTO 1 201/) ,1"_ - -.. ". ~ Memorandum. " REeD; (OCT :~ 8 201 To: District Manager, California Desert'District, Bureau ofLand Management, Morenoyalley. CalifO~ From: FielJ?~~v~ru:m FiSh and Wildlife Office. Ventura. California Subject: Biological Opinion on BrightSource Energy's Ivanpah Solar E;lectric Generating System Project, San Bernardino County. California [CACA-48668, 49502, 49503, 49504] (8-8-1O-F-24) This document transmits the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) biological opinion based on our review ofthe Bureau ofLand Management's (Bureau) proposed issuance ofa right-of­ way grant to Solar Partners I. LLC. Solar Partners II, LLC, and Solar Partners VIII. LLC for the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System (ISEGS) and its effects on the federally threatened desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizil) in accordance with section 7 ofthe Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Because BrightSource Energy is a parent company for all Solar Partner Companies, this biological opiniO:J;l refers to the project proponents collectively as BrightSource. 'The proposed project involves construction, operation, maintenance,and decommissioning of a 370-megawatt solar thermal power plant and associated infrastructure and facilities on 3.5~2 acres ofpublic land managed by the Bureau. Your December 7, 2009 request for formal consultation was received on December 8, 2009. This biological opinion is based on information that accompanied your December 7, 2009 request for consultation and additional information regarding changes in the project description and tranSlocation strategy obtained from Bureau staff during the formal consultation p~ocess.
    [Show full text]
  • 04-Rasmussen-SW Hydrology 102209 Final.Pptx
    Utility Scale Solar: Reducing Risk for Utilities October 2009 1 Proprietary & Confidential © 2009 BrightSource Energy, Inc. All rights reserved. Presentation Outline ØCorporate Overview Ø Energy Challenge Ø CSP Overview Ø Technology (R&D) Ø Development Ø Environment 2 Proprietary & Confidential © 2009 BrightSource Energy, Inc. All rights reserved. BrightSource Energy Snapshot Mission: To design, build, own and operate the world’s most cost-effective and reliable large scale solar energy projects Ø Business: § Develop and build large-scale solar power generation plants for utilities at prices that compete with fossil-fuel plants, using proprietary LPT technology § Develop and build solar-to-steam plants for industrial applications Ø Locations: § Headquarters in Oakland, California, 52 full-time employees § Wholly-owned subsidiary BrightSource Industries Israel (BSII) located in Jerusalem, 112 full-time employees § Development offices in Phoenix, AZ and Las Vegas, NV 3 Proprietary & Confidential © 2009 BrightSource Energy, Inc. All rights reserved. BrightSource Energy Highlights Ø Proven technology Ø Experienced management team Ø Favorable market and regulatory environment Ø 2.6 GWs of signed PPAs with PG&E and SCE Ø Bechtel as EPC, with a project investment agreement Ø Chevron solar-to-steam project under construction Ø 4 GWs of active site development with a 19 GW portfolio Ø $160 million from blue chip investor base 4 Proprietary & Confidential © 2009 BrightSource Energy, Inc. All rights reserved. BrightSource Energy Renewable Power
    [Show full text]
  • Utilities Join the Party As Solar Power Goes Mainstream
    Release: 5th March 2019 Utilities join the party as solar power goes mainstream The list of the world’s top solar power plant owners released today by Wiki-Solar.org shows that leading energy utilities are building significant solar portfolios. Chinese, US and Indian power companies now have substantial solar capacity in their home markets, while European multinationals are building global portfolios. This marks a major shift – just five years ago there were only six utilities in the top thirty. The top solar generation owners, based on identified cumulative capacity to the end of 2018 were: Plant owners Plants Capacity Rank © wiki-solar.org number MWAC 1 State Power Investment Corporation [CN] 50 2,659 2 NextEra Energy [US] 43 2,627 3 Global Infrastructure Partners [US] 36 2,060 4 ENEL Green Power [IT] 33 2,015 5 Adani [IN] 28 1,957 6 Panda Green Energy [CN] 31 1,832 7 ACME [IN] 32 1,629 8 Southern Power [US] 25 1,494 9 National Thermal Power Corporation [IN] 15 1,391 10 AES Corporation [US] 60 1,301 11 Consolidated Edison Development [US] 25 1,256 12 EDF – Électricité de France [FR] 59 1,182 13 Dominion Energy [US] 42 1,153 14 Lightsource BP [GB] (part owned by BP) 149 1,102 15 Canadian Solar [CA] 28 1,100 16 Enerparc [DE] 141 1,076 17 Cypress Creek Renewables [US] 136 975 18 Sempra Energy [US] 13 941 19 GCL-Poly Energy Holdings [HK] 26 910 Top utility-scale solar generation capacity owners “Leading Chinese and US utilities like SPIC and NextEra have been prominent for some years” says Wiki-Solar founder Philip Wolfe, “while dynamic growth in India has brought utilities like Adani and NTPC into the list.
    [Show full text]
  • The Status of CSP Development
    The Status of CSP Development DISH STIRLING POWER TOWER CLFR Tom Mancini CSP Program Manager Sandia National Laboratories PARABOLIC TROUGH 505.844.8643 DISH STIRLING [email protected] [email protected] 1 Presentation Content • Brief Overview of Sandia National Laboratories • Background information • Examples of CSP Technologies − Parabolic Trough Systems − Power Tower Systems − Thermal Energy Storage − Dish Stirling Systems • Status of CSP Technologies • Cost of CSP and Resource Availability • Deployments • R & D Directions [email protected] 2 Four Mission Areas Sandia’s missions meet national needs in four key areas: • Nuclear Weapons • Defense Systems and Assessments • Energy, Climate and Infrastructure Security • International, Homeland, and Nuclear Security [email protected] 3 Research Drives Capabilities High Performance Nanotechnologies Extreme Computing & Microsystems Environments Computer Materials Engineering Micro Bioscience Pulsed Power Science Sciences Electronics Research Disciplines 4 People and Budget . On-site workforce: 11,677 FY10 operating revenue . Regular employees: 8,607 $2.3 billion 13% . Over 1,500 PhDs and 2,500 MS/MA 13% 43% 31% Technical staff (4,277) by discipline: (Operating Budget) Nuclear Weapons Defense Systems & Assessments Energy, Climate, & Infrastructure Security International, Homeland, and Nuclear Security Computing 16% Math 2% Chemistry 6% Physics 6% Other science 6% Other fields 12% Electrical engineering 21% Mechanical engineering 16% Other engineering 15% 5 Sandia’s NSTTF Dish Engine Engine Test Rotating Testing Facility Platform Established in 1976, we provide ………. • CSP R&D NSTTF • Systems analysis and FMEA • System and Tower Testing Solar Furnace component testing and support NATIONAL SOLAR THERMAL TEST FACILITY [email protected] 6 Labs Support the DOE Program The CSP Programs at Sandia and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) support the DOE Solar Energy Technology Program.
    [Show full text]
  • GEMINI SOLAR PROJECT Resource Management Plan Amendment and Draft Environmental Impact Statement Volume 1: Chapters 1 – 4
    U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management DOI------ BLM NV S010 2018 0051 EIS GEMINI SOLAR PROJECT Resource Management Plan Amendment and Draft Environmental Impact Statement Volume 1: Chapters 1 – 4 EIS Costs to- Date: $4,494,065 i The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for the stewardship of our public lands. The BLM’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN AMENDMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR THE GEMINI SOLAR PROJECT Responsible Agency: United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management Document Status: Draft (X) Final ( ) Abstract: Solar Partners XI, LLC is proposing to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission an approximately 690-megawatt photovoltaic solar electric generating facility and associated generation tie-line and access road facilities (Project) on approximately 7,100 acres of federal lands administered by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The Project would be located approximately 33 miles northeast of Las Vegas and south of the Moapa River Indian Reservation in Clark County, Nevada. The expected life of the Project is 30 years. Solar Partners XI, LLC acquired an existing 44,000-acre right-of- way application filed in 2008 by BrightSource Energy, LLC for the APEX Solar Thermal Power Generation Facility. The approximately 7,100-acre Project would be located within the 44,000-acre right- of-way application area. The 1998 Las Vegas Resource Management Plan (RMP) classifies the right-of-way application area as a Class III Visual Resource Management (VRM) area, which lies adjacent to Class II areas (due to the presence of the Old Spanish National Historic Trail, Muddy Mountain Wilderness Area, and Bitter Springs Back Country Byway in the Project vicinity).
    [Show full text]
  • The Ivanpah Solar Project Named 2012 Energy Project of the Year
    THE IVANPAH SOLAR PROJECT NAMED 2012 ENERGY PROJECT OF THE YEAR Project recognized for its innovative approach, job creation and scale of clean energy production (LOS ANGELES, Calif.) April 24, 2012 – NRG Energy, Google, BrightSource Energy and EPC partner Bechtel announced that the Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System (Ivanpah SEGS) received the 2012 Energy Project of the Year Award by the USC CMAA Green Symposium. Ivanpah SEGS in California’s Mojave Desert is currently the world’s largest concentrating solar power (CSP) plant under construction. When completed, it will nearly double the amount of solar thermal electricity produced in the US. “The sheer magnitude of the Ivanpah project is reinforcing California's position as the leader of renewable energy in the United States,” said Caroline Fletcher, USC Green Symposium Co- Chair. “The project has demonstrated an innovative approach to partnerships and is significantly contributing to job creation in the region. We’re very pleased to honor this important project with our 2012 Energy Project of the Year Award.” “Ivanpah is a flagship project, widely recognized for its environmentally-responsible design, and lauded for its role in helping to grow Southern California’s High Desert economy,” said Joe Desmond, SVP of Government Relations and Communications, BrightSource Energy. “We look forward to completing this important solar power facility and help California meet its economic and clean energy goals.” “We are pleased to be a part of this award-winning project. The innovation applied to the engineering and construction of Ivanpah will help advance the renewable energy industry and make solar energy a viable option for more people,” said Jim Ivany, president of renewable power at Bechtel.
    [Show full text]
  • Solar Photovoltaic Manufacturing: Industry Trends, Global Competition, Federal Support
    U.S. Solar Photovoltaic Manufacturing: Industry Trends, Global Competition, Federal Support Michaela D. Platzer Specialist in Industrial Organization and Business January 27, 2015 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R42509 U.S. Solar PV Manufacturing: Industry Trends, Global Competition, Federal Support Summary Every President since Richard Nixon has sought to increase U.S. energy supply diversity. Job creation and the development of a domestic renewable energy manufacturing base have joined national security and environmental concerns as reasons for promoting the manufacturing of solar power equipment in the United States. The federal government maintains a variety of tax credits and targeted research and development programs to encourage the solar manufacturing sector, and state-level mandates that utilities obtain specified percentages of their electricity from renewable sources have bolstered demand for large solar projects. The most widely used solar technology involves photovoltaic (PV) solar modules, which draw on semiconducting materials to convert sunlight into electricity. By year-end 2013, the total number of grid-connected PV systems nationwide reached more than 445,000. Domestic demand is met both by imports and by about 75 U.S. manufacturing facilities employing upwards of 30,000 U.S. workers in 2014. Production is clustered in a few states including California, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. Domestic PV manufacturers operate in a dynamic, volatile, and highly competitive global market now dominated by Chinese and Taiwanese companies. China alone accounted for nearly 70% of total solar module production in 2013. Some PV manufacturers have expanded their operations beyond China to places like Malaysia, the Philippines, and Mexico.
    [Show full text]
  • Nevada Energy Markets and Planning (E-MAP) Baseline Assessment
    Nevada Energy Markets and Planning (E-MAP) Baseline Assessment Overview: ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 State Energy Landscape (Electric Sector)................................................................................................... 1 A. Electric Utility Providers .................................................................................................................. 2 B. Delivery Systems ................................................................................................................................ 5 C. Generation (in-state, out of state, and imports) ............................................................................ 13 D. Markets ............................................................................................................................................ 25 E. Existing Policies (Laws/Regulations) ............................................................................................. 27 F. Challenges ........................................................................................................................................ 36 G. Trends ............................................................................................................................................... 41 Governor Sandoval’s Energy Policy Goals ............................................................................................... 44 A. Executive Order..............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • A Sustainable Path Meeting Nevada’S Water and Energy Demands Western Resource Advocates’ Mission Is to Protect the West’S Land, Air, and Water
    A SUSTAINABLE PATH Meeting Nevada’s Water and Energy Demands Western Resource Advocates’ mission is to protect the West’s land, air, and water. Our lawyers, scientists, and economists: 1) advance clean energy to reduce pollution and global cli- mate change 2) promote urban water conservation and river restoration 2260 Baseline Road, Suite 200 3) defend special public lands from energy development Boulder, CO 80302 and unauthorized off-road vehicle travel. Tel: (303) 444-1188 Fax: (303) 786-8054 We collaborate with other conservation groups, hunters www.westernresourceadvocates.org and fishermen, ranchers, American Indians, and others to © 2008 ensure a sustainable future for the West. This report is one of a series prepared by Western Resource Advocates on the competing water demands of growing cit- ies, agriculture, electricity generation, and the environment. It was funded by grants from the National Renewable En- ergy Lab and the Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation. The report was prepared by Stacy Tellinghuisen with assis- tance from David Berry, Bart Miller, Taryn Hutchins-Cabibi, Charles Benjamin, and Nicole Theerasatiankul (Western Re- source Advocates). A SUSTAINABLE PATH: Meeting Nevada’s Water and Energy Demands Executive Summary 4 Introduction 8 Municipal Water Use 10 Population Growth 10 Economy 12 Scenarios and Water Use: 2030 12 Summary 16 Agricultural Water Use 17 Potential Ethanol Production 17 Legal Limitations of Nevada’s Water Rights System 18 Climate Change’s Impacts on Water Resources 18 Summary 22 Water Use in Electricity
    [Show full text]