WASHINGTON — The Department of the Interior announced July 16 that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved the Southern Bighorn Solar Project on tribal lands in Nevada.
The Bureau also announced that construction for the Arrow Canyon Solar Project has begun.
The project is critical in providing tribal communities with clean energy, said U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.
“The time for a clean energy future is now — and Tribal communities have a significant role to play in the Administration’s ambitious goals,” she said. “These solar projects will support local tribal economies while adding to the nation’s clean energy supply.”
According to a DOI press release, the two developments will generate over 800 jobs and provide enough electricity to power 192,000 homes.
The DOI said the projects support the Biden administration's goal to generate at least 25 gigawatts of onshore renewable energy by 2025.
Haaland said she hopes the projects inspire other fruitful endeavors.
“The department is committed to making bold investments that will address the climate crisis, create good-paying jobs, and advance environmental justice,” she said.
The Southern Bighorn Solar Project is in the south-central portion of the reservation in Clark County, Nevada.
The Arrow Canyon Solar Project, located in the southeast corner of the reservation, is expected to generate 500 temporary jobs and 12 permanent jobs when the facility is operational.
The project was approved Jan. 19 and is expected to be operational by December 2022.
The BLM and the Bureau of Indian Affairs are partnering in the development of the solar arrays and associated transmission lines.
Once constructed, the solar arrays, transmission lines and ancillary maintenance roads, distribution lines, and other facilities will connect the solar arrays and battery storage systems to the power grid.
