By NICK YAMASHITA
The Progress
A series of two public scoping meetings were held last week to draw public comment on the newest solar power generation plant being proposed on the Moapa River Indian Reservation.
The Southern Bighorn Solar Project is expected to spread across a study site totalling 6,038; about 3,600 acres of which will be used to install solar panels. The proposed plant is expected to generate up to 400 megawatts of renewable energy.
The set of two public scopings meetings were held via an online platform on Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28. The goal of the meetings was to inform the public of the proposal and the various agencies involved in it. These organizations include the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Land Management, the Moapa Band of Paiutes, 8 Minute Solar Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Regional Environmental Protection Officer Chip Lewis was mediating the virtual meeting from his office in Phoenix, Arizona. The rest of the project team was in attendance including members of the Moapa Band of Paiutes Tribal Council.
Lewis explained that the project would involve the construction of a solar power facility using photovoltaic panels being built in two divisions: one on tribal land and another on lands belonging to the Bureau of Land Management. The first of the two will entail up to 300 MW in generation while project two will generate up to 100 MW.
Also involved is the installation of a vast battery energy storage system to store the energy generated in the peak daytime hours, for use in the evening which is peak usage hours.
Also part of the project are plans for construction of access roads and collector lines to tie the facility into the regional electrical grid via a substation at the previously approved Eagle Shadow Mountain Solar Project.
The project has three main goals. The first is to provide a an economic revenue base and job opportunities for the Moapa Band of Paiutes. The second goal is to assist the state of Nevada in meeting renewable energy goals. And the final goal is to allow the tribe, in partnership with the applicants, to optimize the use of the lease site while maximizing the potential economic benefit.
Lewis listed the environmental and biological resources that may be impacted. These included treatment of the Desert Tortoise, Avian Species and other Endangered or Threatened Species of Animals and Insects. Other concerns that were studied included cultural resources, Native American religious concerns, visual resources, water resources and socioeconomics.
After the presentation, the public was invited to comment and make statements about the project.
When asked about any unexpected delays or circumstances that will could a delay to the estimated schedule for finishing the project, Lewis said that all the required studies and a good team was already in place to help regulate the timing of the project and avoid any delays. “Everything has been good and smooth with no problems at all,” Lewis said.
As for pertaining to any possible intervention from Environmental Rights Groups, Lewis again answered, “We have had none. These groups are usually in support of such causes and projects that help the Native American people and behind in renewable energy.”
Each meeting was finished within 30 minutes. Neither were well attended by members of the public.
“The public mainly concerns the Moapa Band tribal members,” Lewis explained. Many of them are more comfortable with the project as it is now the 4th or 5th project like this that they have seen come up.”
“They see it more as a routine and find no opposition to such a project that benefits them greatly,” Lewis added. “We love having more of the public in the meetings and we are looking for feedback and comments pertaining to the EPI and public scoping.”
During the meeting on Thursday, MBOP Tribal Chair Laura Parry thanked the project team. “I love the name of the project,” she said. “We are in full cooperation to provide a power source to people who really need it.”
Tribal Administrator Terry Bohl also made a statement at the meeting. “The tribe continues to promote clean energy to replace coal,” he said. “This is one more step working with our partners in promoting clean energy. Several Councils have worked on this project also and many more will continue to work to be a clean energy tribe and neighbor.”
The Public Scoping for the Bighorn Solar Project is available for public comment and statements until June 8. Comments may be submitted by visiting the project website at www.southernbighornsolar.com. All maps and information as well as the presentation are available at the same website.
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