News Release

For Release: December 6, 2007
Contact: Stephen Razo 951-697-5217; email: srazo@ca.blm.gov
CA-CDD-08-13

BLM Announces Public Scoping Meeting for Solar Energy Project

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces a public scoping meeting to solicit comments on the impacts of a proposed solar energy project in the California Desert. BLM published a “Notice of Intent” to prepare an environmental impact statement in the Federal Register on November 6, 2007 indicating its intent to conduct public scoping of issues and advertise scoping meetings for the proposed Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System (ISEGS). The BLM formal scoping process that began with publication of the NOI in the Federal Register will run through January 15, 2008.

The BLM scoping meeting is being conducted jointly with a CEC data request workshop and a Commission hearing that will be held at the following time and location:

Date: January 4, 2008
Time: 10:00 a.m. data request workshop
          1:30 p.m. Commission site visit
          2:30 p.m. Commission informational hearing/BLM scoping meeting
Location: Primm Valley Golf Club

This scoping meeting is one opportunity for the public to provide early input and help the agencies identify issues that will need to be addressed in the analysis of the project. The public is invited to identify issues and submit their comments to the BLM so they can be considered in the environmental analysis.

The proposed Ivanpah SEGS project consists of three concentrating solar-powered steam, electricity generating plants and related facilities, covering about 3,400 acres of public lands in San Bernardino County, 4.5 miles southwest of Primm, Nevada. The project is entirely located on public lands and proposes to produce up to 400 megawatts of electricity.

BLM, as the lead agency under the National Environmental Policy Act, will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to analyze the site-specific impacts of proposed right-of-way grants and a proposed amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area Plan. The California Energy Commission is the lead California agency for the licensing of thermal power plants over 50 megawatts and for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, including preparation of preliminary and final staff assessments. BLM and CEC are cooperating to the fullest in the evaluation of the project and plan to complete a joint review and analysis that meets both state and federal permitting requirements.

Brief presentations describing the project and the review process will be made by the proponent, Solar Partners, LLC, and by the agencies after which a public comment period will be provided. Additionally written comments may be submitted to the BLM’s Needles Field Office, attention George R. Meckfessel, planning and environmental coordinator, 1303 South U.S. Highway 95, Needles, CA, 92363-4228, or by fax (760)326-7099 or by e-mail ca690@ca.blm.gov attention Ivanpah SEGS.

Documents pertinent to this proposal , including comments of respondents, will be available for public review at the BLM Needles Field Office during regular business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

For further information contact: Tom Hurshman, BLM Project Manager (970)240-5345 or email: ca690@ca.blm.gov attention Ivanpah SEGS.

-BLM-

California Desert District Office – 22835 Calle San Juan de Los Lagos, Moreno Valley, CA 92553- (951) 697-5217