Heavy electrical transmission lines at the powerful Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System, located in California’s Mojave Desert at the base of Clark Mountain and just south of this stateline community on Interstate 15, are viewed on July 15, 2022 near Primm, Nevada. The Ivanpah system consists of three solar thermal power plants and 173,500 heliostats (mirrors) on 3,500 acres and features a gross capacity of 392 megawatts (MW).
George Rose | Getty Images News | Getty Images
The Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management this week said it has advanced two transmission projects proposed by public utility NV Energy that would facilitate more renewable energy development and delivery in Nevada.
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The agency will start an environmental review for the Greenlink North project, which will span over 450 miles to connect Las Vegas to Reno, and release a draft environmental impact statement for the Greenlink West transmission project, which will cover 232 miles from Ely to Yerington.
Once completed, the projects will connect eight gigawatts of clean energy to the Western power grid. The plans would bolster the Biden administration’s goal to deploy 25 gigawatts of renewable energy on public lands and waters by 2025 and achieve a carbon-free power sector by 2035.
The announcement comes as Congress debates federal energy permitting overhauls, with Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., introducing a measure earlier this month to speed permitting of both fossil fuel and renewable energy projects.
Transmission projects involve expanding high-voltage lines that transport renewable energy to populated areas and will play a critical role in accelerating the clean energy transition while meeting growing power demand.
The BLM aims to finalize proposed documents and develop a record of decision for the Greenlink West project by late 2024. It will also release draft environmental planning documents for the Greenlink North project for public comment later this year.
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“Our public lands have a critical role to play in the clean energy transition,” BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning said in a statement.
The agency said it has approved 35 clean energy projects over the past couple of years, including solar, geothermal, and gen-tie installations, which are anticipated to generate 8,160 megawatts of electricity, or enough to power more than 2.6 million homes.
Some projects include the SunZia Southwest Transmission Project in New Mexico and construction approval for California’s Sunlight Storage II Battery Storage System. The agency is also reviewing projects like Utah’s Star Range Solar Project and Nevada’s Bonanza Solar Project.
Christmas Day weather forecast for Northern California – Dec. 25, 2024
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Christmas Day weather forecast for Northern California – Dec. 25, 2024
02:55
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TRUCKEE — With another weather system just about done with Northern California, roads in the Northern California high country are open but still potentially treacherous on Christmas Day.
As of noon, there are no restrictions on both Interstate 80 and Highway 50 in the Sierra Nevada.
The same can’t be said for the smaller highways, however.
On Highway 89, Caltrans says chains or snow tires are required from Truckee to the Sierra/Plumas County line, and from Truckee to around 11 miles north of Truckee.
Highlighting how dangerous the conditions could be, on Christmas morning California Highway Patrol posted about a driver who nearly went completely off the side of the road near Emerald Bay. The vehicle had to be towed out.
Further south, along Highway 88, Caltrans says chains are also still required on all vehicles from 6.5 miles east of Peddler Hill in Amador County to about 5 miles west of Picketts Junction in Alpine County.
Another impactful weather system is expected to arrive by Thursday in Northern California
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Cecilio Padilla
Cecilio Padilla is a digital producer for CBS Sacramento and a Sacramento-area native who has been covering Northern California for more than a decade.
Neither of the authors of “Homesteading 2.0” (Dec. 15 Review-Journal) lives in Nevada. Yet, they believe they are qualified to advocate for increased development of our public lands.
To date, much new development has focused on luxury housing and green energy projects, rather than the need for affordable housing. While the authors acknowledge our successful conservation efforts, they fail to mention that current residents are being heavily regulated by the water authority, facing penalties, and pressured to reduce water usage. Lawns are being replaced with desert landscaping, and ongoing development to accommodate growth is contributing to the urban heat island effect. This growth has led to more congested roadways, wildlife encroaching into urban areas due to habitat loss and reduced access to recreational spaces that residents once enjoyed.
One of the defining features of Las Vegas was the open space surrounding the valley, which has long been a unique advantage of living in the Southwest. We must carefully consider how much growth we are willing to support moving forward.
Due to rainy weather forecast, the Annual Menorah Lighting in Nevada City has been moved indoors to The Miners Foundry (325 Spring St, Nevada City). Co-sponsored by Chabad of Grass Valley and The Miners Foundry, this special and FREE Chanukah celebration will take place on Thursday, December 26, at 4:00 p.m., and the public is invited to join the fun.
This year, for the first time ever, the event will feature the lighting of a 12-foot illuminated menorah, the largest and brightest in Nevada County. The menorah lighting promises to be an inspiring and memorable moment, bringing the community and our elected officials together to celebrate the message of Chanukah.
The evening will also include a unique performance by a Hassidic fire performer from Brooklyn, adding excitement and energy to the festivities. Guests will enjoy live Chanukah music, singing, and dancing, along with warm Starbucks coffee. Delicious latkes and donuts will be served, and there will be Chanukah gelt and dreidels for everyone to enjoy.
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“Chanukah is about bringing more light into the world each day,” said Rabbi Nochum Yusewitz. “We’re grateful to be able to gather indoors this year to keep everyone warm and dry while celebrating the holiday together. Although it’s the 9th year we are organizing this, there are lots of ‘firsts’ this year so that’s very exciting.”
For more information about the event, about Chanukah or about Chabad call Rabbi Nochum at 530-404-0030 or email hello@JewishGV.com
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