By VERNON ROBISON
The Progress
The Mormon Mesa just east of Logandale and Overton may someday become home to the largest solar power generating field in the United States.
The Battle Born Solar Project, being proposed by California-based Arevia Power, would cover approximately 9,180 acres of a 24,000 acre application area located on top of the mesa with arrays of large industrial solar panels. The land being proposed for the project is owned by the Bureau of Land Management.
At its southern tip the 14 square-mile site would straddle the existing Mormon Mesa road coming up from Perkins Field Airport. Its northern boundary would stretch to a point on the mesa roughly east of Bowman Reservoir. The proposal would have photovoltaic solar panels spread across nearly the entire east-west expanse of the mesa within that area.
The 850 megawatt plant would dwarf the huge Gemini Solar Project currently being proposed for the area just east of the I-15 and south of the Moapa Paiute Reservation. That facility, to be built on 7,100 acres with a capacity of 690 megawatts, was expected to become the nation’s largest solar plant previously.
The $1 billion Gemini project won approval from the U.S. Dept of Interior in May of this year and is expected to be completed within the next 2-3 years. Gemini is also being developed by Arevia Power.
Arevia filed an “Application for Energy Projects” for the Battle Born project with the Nevada Department of Wildlife in November of 2019, paying an initial $10,000 fee for the “Fund for the Recovery of Costs”.
According to the application materials, the facility would include an 850 megawatt Battery Energy Storage System.
The solar arrays would consist of photovoltaic modules mounted on single-axis, horizontal tracker mounting systems supported by driven steel posts.
The project would also include power transmission lines to tie the plant in to the regional grid.
At an Overton Power District (OPD5) board meeting held in April, the board voted to enter a non-disclosure agreement with Arevia Power to share information between the two entities in connection with the Battle Born project. At that time, Arevia Power was proposing the possibility of tieing its transmission line in at the OPD5 Tortoise substation in Moapa. This would be the initial point of contact with the regional grid, then tying in to the NV Energy Reid Gardner substation. The April OPD5 board vote was only to share information, though. No other agreements or obligations were being made at that time.
On the Battle Born plant site, an internal roadway system would consist of spoke, ring and perimeter roadways. Other access roads would be necessary along the transmission line corridor.
According to the NDOW filing, project security measures would include a perimeter security fence on site as well as controlled access gates, onsite security patrols, lighting, electronic security systems and remote monitoring.
A ten-foot wide firebreak would be maintained outside the perimeter fence. And desert tortoise exclusion fencing would also be placed around the project perimeter.
A letter was sent in February from Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak to the Trump administration urging that the Battle Born project be designated as a “FAST-41” project. This federal designation was created to improve the timeliness of the federal environmental review process for certain infrastructure projects.
“The Battle Born project will bring robust economic benefits to the State of Nevada as well as contribute significantly to the supply of clean, renewable energy in the western United States,” Sisolak said in the letter. “It is projected that (it) will bring over 1,250 total jobs and more than $350 million in value added to the Southern Nevada economy.”
Arevia also made an initial filing on the project to the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada on April 13.
All of these were just the initial filings for the project which is only in its infancy. Before the project could begin construction the company would have to go through the extensive environmental screening process required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This process would require public input on the project to be taken at various stages.
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2 thoughts on “Huge Solar Plant Being Proposed On Mormon Mesa”
It was a beautiful sunny afternoon in early spring 2020 that my children and I ventured to Mormon Mesa to explore the beauty of the desert flower bloom. The vast expanse of openness backdropped by the Virgin mountains made this a lasting memory for my family. Little did we realize that this extraordinary adventure in our own backyard was just that – a memory that we may never see again in any of our lifetimes.
A few years back, the areas east and west of the lower Muddy River region were designated as Critical Sensitive Habitat under review for closure by the BLM. In 2019, the mesa area northeast of Bowman Reservoir, north-westerly to I-15, was to be closed under this act. Last spring my family and I traversed every dirt road in that area knowing it was probably the last time this could be done – ever.
So what clout do these power generating entities have over the Federal Government that allows them to convert land noted as “habitat under review for closure” to an industrial facility? Enabling them to destroy 9,180 acres, blading over every square inch of natural beauty just seems to be in such extreme contrast to the previous plans of the BLM. Why not build this in Red Rock Canyon, or on the north side of Las Vegas on the Wooly Mammoth protection area, or why not on the shores of Lake Mead. This is because the voice of 2.2 million Las Vegas residents would not stand for the destruction of the natural beauties in their backyard, But the voice of 3,000 people go unrecognized and written off as collateral damage where the sacrifice of the few out-weights the benefit of the many.
Two years back I learned a new word – Over-Gen. This refers to the problem Southern California has been having with the “over generation” of power caused by the excess of solar arrays. The solar arrays are pushing more power into the grid than is needed, causing major issues in power nomination for metropolitan areas and partial turn-downs of traditional hydro-electric and gas fired generating plants. It is difficult to rely on the solar supply when it is not available at night and has poor output if the weather changes to cloudy or dusty. So I find it difficult to understand the need for projects like Gemini and Battle Born at this time.
No industrial plant can operate without water. As a professional Hydro-Geologist, with over 38-years experience in Southern Nevada, I do not see a viable water resource for them here. Having been involved in the development of the wells for the Reid Gardener Plant, Moapa Valley Water District, Valley of Fire, and (sadly) the Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD) water applications for our valley, I know there is no usable water under the Battle Born facility location. The sub-surface is composed of fine silts and sands, with saline and arsenic laden water, to thousands feet deep. So they will need to turn to our valley for water. To the best of my knowledge, the thin gravel aquifer beneath Logandale and Overton area is already appropriated, if not over appropriated in accordance with recent USGS opinion of the Nevada groundwater flow systems. Any available groundwater that may have existed was snatched up by the LVVWD during their Nevada water grab.
I was saddened by the water buy-outs in the 1980’s by Nevada Power in the upper valley, watching fields turn to alkali dust bowls, then even further by the LVVWD buy-out of water in the Lower Moapa Valley in the 1990’s, leaving the regretful landscape we see today. It is my hope that we stand united to fight this power plant and not give in to their water needs.
The Mormon Mesa location offers a unique advantage nearly all other plants do not have. This is the proximity to Bowman Reservoir. The biggest hinderance in solar energy is night-time delivery of power. This can be resolved with battery storage ($$$) or “pump-and-store” systems. In a pump-and-store system, water is lifted from a lower elevation reservoir to an upper elevation reservoir during the day with solar power. At night this water flows back to the lower reservoir generating power for the grid. I have seen many conceptual projects slated for the Mojave Desert area, though to my knowledge, none were every built due to water availability issues. Bowman Reservoir provides a very attractive setting of an existing reservoir and a nearly 500 foot lift to the mesa top. The cutting edge scientific leaders of this technology are feverishly trying to resolve nighttime delivery of solar power. I can only postulate that power companies and Federal Utility Regulators have their eye on this Battle Born Project seeking this to be a proving ground for that technology. I am only guessing at this point, but beware, the writing is all over the wall.
The BLM land I noted above that conceptually closed in 2019, east of Bowman Reservoir northwesterly to I-15, is an ideal location for this plant with little impact on the community back-country scenery. It has contact to Bowman Reservoir should that option ever mature, as well as, ease of access from I-15 at Carp/Elgin Road. Plant operation water supply still remains an issue, though you have to wonder what happened to all the water rights from the Reid Gardener Plant.
My family stood In Caliente in 1865 when Nevada became a state and we adopted the slogan Battle Born. I assure you this slogan was a message to others that we will not tolerate the taking of our lands and land rights. There is allot at stake then and now. United we stand and we can creatively work towards a win-win for the community and big business here with subtle changes such as I have noted.
Tom Morris
Replying to the solar energy article? I believe this was initially started as a solar project via Harry Reid and Obama. Aren’t they out of office? Was not that Bundy failed debacle land grab an excuse for their solar incentives back then? Anything smell fishy! This area is truly God’s Country and the residents should be consulted on its land use! Once again the magnificent and grandiose Mormon Mesa is being proposed to be destroyed.14 Square miles of the top for solar energy excuses.Really!!!!!Why, so solar companies can enrich themselves and the cookie jars of those supporting this Battle Born Solar travesty.
The Mormon Mesa flat top was created millions of years ago and is one of the largest, oldest sea bed formations in existence. Truly a geologists wonder of the world. Historically it also has much to do with the Old Spanish trail it transverses and those that settled this area. It has tons of rare plants, tortoise and sage grouse habitats, archeological finds and still occasionally aids open grazing for ranchers! We locals know it for its breathtaking beauty and recreational activities. From atving, horseback riding, camping, hiking and stargazing. It is unsurpassed for its solidarity. Tourists come from all over the world and enjoy the beauty of the Mormon Mesa. You can see Moapa Valley (Overton,Logandale and Valley of Fire on the west Side) and the (Virgin River ,Gold Butte and Whitney pockets and Lake Mead on the East). When the clouds abound, it is heavenly. There is plenty of land along Lake Mead back to Vegas that could be used, that would not affect Mesa top beauty surrounding Moapa Valley. Supposedly locals have spoken against solar projects here in the past, but deaf ears abound .So maybe a movement should be started aka Mormon Mesa Militants. As it should matter to us, to maintain the beauty of the Mormon Mesa. All those that love this area need to write, make phone calls, maybe start a petition addressing Sisolaks beg letter to Washington. You can contact him at: 775-684-5670 and register your concerns. You can also reach out to Nevada’s other elected officials hoping for a more democratic process to hear our voices! See this address for more information/contacts on this solar agenda and his letter to Washington..
https://www.desertadvocate.org/dirt-roads/2020/6/24/nevada-governor-embraces-trumps-environmental-shortcuts?fbclid=IwAR3SHHm5Mth15iveUkvSK3fxQfuRKaygAL3D8XcSQxfvL5zBIfr3laqnTXw
PS.The kiosk art proposal ( supposed tourism /generators) being discussed , will now need drone GPS maps coordinates .This will be the only way to see the Mormon Mesa, as the solar project closes all the road access to the Mesa top. Maybe the kiosk ad copy could read: Hey thanks for coming to see the destroying artistry of the Mormon Mesa. Please use a drone to see this land destruction. You will see the world renown bulldozing artistry of the Born Solar Project and the Double Dents (Negative) of a earth sculptor. Note: Sisolak should contact that land art sculptor. He was the first to bulldoze the Mesa for his Double Dents back in the 70s. He is experienced with backhoes and bulldozers for land excavating? …So start addressing all you can to stop this aka Battle Born Solar (Fast 41 project) being sought by Nevada Governor Sisolak! Even though part of Clark County, we are not of Vegas glitz and should want to keep the natural beauty of this area intact. ….Longtime land owner in Moapa Valley. Robert Cooch Kuczera aka Biker Bob