Trump administration killed a huge offer solar energy project V Nevada it would be one of the largest in the world, indicating that the White House plans to attack not just wind power, but all renewable energy sources.
On Thursday, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) changed the status Esmeralda 7 project, stating that its environmental assessment was “canceled“, climate publication Heatmap first reported.
The southern Nevada superproject would cover an area of 185 square miles—an area close to the size of Las Vegas—and include seven solar projects proposed by various companies, including NextEra. Energy Resources, Downwind Renewable Energy, Arevia Power and Invenergy. Together, the network of solar panels and batteries would produce 6.2 gigawatts of energy, enough to power nearly 2 million homes.
Asked for comment, the Home Office appeared to leave open the possibility that at least part of the draft could be resubmitted. In an email, a spokesperson said: “During the normal discussions leading up to the termination of appropriations, the proponents and BLM agreed to change their approach to the Esmeralda 7 solar project in Nevada. Instead of conducting environmental analyzes at the program level, applicants will now have the opportunity to submit individual project proposals to the BLM to more effectively analyze potential impacts.”
The developers' joint proposals were allowed Joe Biden. Even once Donald Trump re-entered the White House this year, the process seemed to be moving forward when its Bureau of Land Management put forward a draft environmental impact statement. But the process has since stalled because the BLM has failed to release a final environmental impact statement or record of decision for the project.
The Guardian has contacted NextEra Energy Resources, Leeward Renewable Energy, Arevia Power and Invenergy for comment.
In his first day of executive order, Trump signed an executive order ordering a freeze on new renewable energy permits for federally owned land and water. Then in February he appointed Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Colorado-based oil industry trade group Western Energy Alliance, will lead the Bureau of Land Management, which manages a quarter of a billion acres of public lands concentrated in Western states.
In July, in an attempt to drum up support for his tax and spending bill, Trump issued another order aimed at stopping renewable projectswhich called on the Interior Department to reconsider its policies regarding wind and solar energy and left Interior Secretary Doug Burgum with the final decision on whether such projects can proceed.
The following month, the president said his administration would not approve solar or wind energy projects. “We will not approve of wind or farmers destroying solar energy,” he said. published in Truth Social. “The days of stupidity in the USA are over!!!”
