U.S. Interior Announces Approval of Transmission and Solar Projects in Nevada

The U.S. Interior Department on Sept. 9 announced the expansion of a number of clean energy projects across Nevada. The announcement follows newly released data which show the steps taken by the Biden administration thus far to enhance and speed up the federal permitting processes are assisting in executing more projects with enhanced efficiency.

The Bureau of Land Management announced the approval of two projects – the Greenlink West Transmission Project and Libra Solar Project that will support the development of up to 4.7 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy and assist in delivering reliable and clean energy from the Nevada desert to the Western power grid.

The bureau is also moving forward with two additional projects: the Greenlink North Transmission Project and Bonanza Solar Project. The department has opened a comment period for both management plans.

Since 2021, the bureau has approved 41 renewable energy projects on public lands—10 solar, 13 geothermal, and 18 gen-tie projects—helping to meet the goal of permitting 25 GW by 2025 ahead of schedule. Construction has begun on several projects, including the TransWest Express, Ten West Link, and SunZia Transmission projects, with Greenlink West being the fourth approval under this administration. With these advancements, the BLM has now permitted enough clean energy to power over 12.5 million homes and is reviewing 55 more utility-scale project proposals across the West.

Earlier in the year, the BLM announced its final Renewable Energy Rule, which will reduce household energy expenses and the expenditures related to expanding solar and wind projects. The rule will also enhance project application procedures, and incentivise developers to keep up developing wind and solar projects on public lands. Moreover, the BLM issued an upgraded Western Solar Plan, which proposes a roadmap for solar energy expansion on public lands and enhancement of well-organized and ecologically friendly solar projects throughout the West.