BLM approves important transmission line in Nevada
High voltage transmission lines, Primm Valley, Nevada (source: flickr/ Stephen Hill, creative commons)
Alexander Richter
24 Mar 2011
With a large number of geothermal power projects in Nevada, transmission is often a challenge. So the news of BLM giving the go-ahead of a 236 mile transmission line will provide a necessary backbone to link solar plants in the south and geothermal plants in the north of Nevada.
Reported from Nevada, “the federal Bureau of Land Management has given the go-ahead for utility NV Energy to build a 236-mile electricity transmission line from just north of Las Vegas to Ely.
BLM Ely district manager Rosemary Thomas issued a statement Friday calling the project the backbone of Nevada’s plans to link solar power stations in the south and geothermal plants in the north.
She said environmental impacts will be minimized.
The 500-kilovolt transmission line is dubbed ON Line. It is jointly owned by Great Basin Transmission South LLC and NV Energy. Construction began in October, with completion expected in 2013.
The Energy Department is loaning $343 million in federal stimulus dollars toward the project.”
Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal
