The Department of the Interior has announced that it is taking the next steps toward permitting two proposed transmission projects, which will facilitate increased renewable energy development and delivery in Nevada.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is initiating the environmental review for the Greenlink North project and releasing a draft environmental impact statement for Greenlink West transmission projects, which together would help connect 8GW of clean energy to the Western power grid.
The Greenlink West transmission project would run for more than 450 miles, connecting Las Vegas to Reno, and providing capacity for renewable energy development in Clark, Esmerelda, Lyon, Mineral, Nye and Storey counties.
The notice of availability for Greenlink West opens a 90-day public comment period on the project’s draft environmental impact statement and associated resource management plan amendment. If approved, the Greenlink West transmission project is anticipated to have the potential to unlock up to 4 gigawatts of renewable energy.
The notice of intent for the Greenlink North transmission project, a 232-mile-long, 525 kV transmission line running through White Pine, Eureka, Lander, Churchill and Lyon counties, begins a 45-day scoping and public comment period to help inform the development of the BLM’s environmental impact statement for the project. If approved, the Greenlink North transmission project could also unlock up to 4 gigawatts of renewable energy.
The BLM aims to finalize the proposed documents and develop a record of decision for the Greenlink West project by late 2024, and to release draft environmental planning documents for the Greenlink North project for public comment later this year.
