BLM Variance
Mitigating the impacts to sensitive resources.
THE VARIANCE PROCESS
A subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources LLC, is proposing to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission an approximately 200-megawatt alternating current (AC) solar photovoltaic facility and energy storage project, Pine Nut Solar Energy Center, on private lands and public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in unincorporated Lyon County, Nevada.
The public lands included in the project area are located within the administrative boundaries of the Carson City District Office and the Sierra Front Field Office and partially located in a variance area outlined by the federal Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS). To develop the site, the project has applied for a Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) Title V ROW grant with the BLM Carson City District Office, which would provide the necessary land and access for the operation.
As part of the variance process, the project must demonstrate that the proposed facility would avoid, minimize, and/or mitigate the impacts to sensitive resources, according to standards set out by the Solar PEIS (BLM/DOE 2012: Appendix B, Section B.5.3). It must also demonstrate that the proposed project is compatible with state and local plans, that it can acquire all required permits and authorities to implement the project, and that any potential conflicts with sensitive resources have been assessed. This Variance Factors Analysis provides this information to the BLM for the Applicant’s ROW grant application review.
Virtual Public Meeting
You are invited to attend a virtual public meeting to learn more about the innovative solar project proposed for Lyon County.
July 21, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
July 22, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
SHARING INPUT WITH BLM
Public meetings are a means for the BLM to provide the public with information about the project and to gather feedback from affected landowners, area residents, and businesses.
The BLM encourages landowners and other stakeholders to reach out before or after the public meeting to discuss how the proposed project may affect them. You may submit your comments or questions directly to the BLM at BLM_NV_CCDO_Pine_Nut_Solar@BLM.GOV.
You may also find additional information on the BLM solar variance process and renewable energy at the following websites: