Interior Department Reverses Course, Will Re-evaluate Nevada‘s Esmeralda 7 Solar Project
LAS VEGAS – The Department of the Interior will resume environmental review of the Esmeralda 7 Solar project, Nevada’s largest planned solar and storage facility, reversing an earlier decision to halt the process. The move comes after reports that the Trump administration had effectively canceled the project’s review, adding to concerns about the administration’s approach to renewable energy development on federal lands.
The Esmeralda 7 project, a key component of President Joe Biden’s Western solar plan, had its initial National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review canceled, raising questions about the timeline for its approval. NextEra Energy, the project developer, stated, “We are in the early stage of development and remain committed to pursuing our project’s comprehensive environmental analysis by working closely with the Bureau of Land Management.” All projects associated with the initiative have pending right-of-way applications before the Bureau of Land Management.
The original draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) estimated construction timelines of 18 to 36 months per project, with full buildout potentially completed within five years of a Record of Decision. However, the cancellation of the previous review process introduces uncertainty regarding the new approval timeframe.
The Environmental defense Fund criticized the initial decision,stating the Trump administration exhibits a “two-tiered approach to energy permitting,” favoring fossil fuels while hindering renewable energy projects.
The reversal follows a pattern of the Trump administration’s actions toward renewable energy, including issuing stop work orders and revoking federal approvals for offshore wind projects. Administration officials have maintained that the permitting process for renewable energy was flawed under the Biden administration.
