Final Staff Assessment And Draft Environmental Impact Statement And Draft California Desert Conservation Area Plan Amendment Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System PDF Download

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has received a proposal from Solar Partners I, II, IV, and VIII, limited liability corporations formed by BrightSource Energy (BrightSource), to construct and operate a solar thermal electric generating facility in San Bernardino County, California. The project would generate up to 400 megawatts (MW) of electricity using solar thermal technology. The proposed project was analyzed in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement that was published on November 13, 2009. The proposed project consists of three separate solar generating facilities, each consisting of a field of heliostats (mirrors) reflecting solar radiation to the top of a 459-foot tall power tower received unit. Heated fluid within the power tower receivers would be used to boil water to generate steam, which would turn a turbine and generate electricity. The permanent ROW required for the heliostat fields and power towers would occupy approximately 3,670 acres. An additional 377 acres would be used to support a Construction Logistics Area, and for shared facilities such as an administration building, maintenance warehouse, substation, and groundwater supply wells. Approximately 24 acres would be used for a natural gas supply pipeline ROW, and for access roads. The proposed project would cause the surface disturbance of approximately 4,073 acres during construction.