BLM Made the Right Decision in Rejecting the Crescent Peak Wind Project — the area’s Mojave Desert wildlands and wildlife habitat should be permanently protected; Nevada must take a smart approach to meeting renewable energy goals
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has done the right thing and denied the application for the proposed Crescent Peak wind energy project on public lands on Nevada’s southwestern border with California. While The Wilderness Society strongly supports responsible renewable energy development to tackle the threat of climate change, places with rich wildlands, wildlife habitat and cultural resources are inappropriate for industrial development of any kind. We appreciate that BLM is acting as a responsible steward of our public lands and resources by denying the Crescent Peak project application, consistent with their authority under law and policy.
This stunningly beautiful landscape is part of the largest Joshua tree forest in the world and includes unprotected wilderness-quality lands; important habitat and movement corridors for bighorn sheep, golden eagles and other wildlife; and sensitive cultural resources. The presence of these irreplaceable environmental and cultural resources makes wind development inappropriate here.
These conflicts are compounded by the fact that the proposed Crescent Peak wind project site is surrounded by areas that have been protected as national parks, national monuments, wilderness areas and areas of critical environmental concern because of the similar resources and values they contain.
BLM cites multiple issues and concerns in denying wind project application
Through BLM’s environmental review process, local community members, Native American tribes, sportsmen, conservation organizations and others advocated to BLM to protect this special place and deny the project application. As reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, BLM said “it identified “multiple issues and concerns” with the Crescent Peak Wind Energy Project, including the disruption of aviation radar systems and potential impacts to mining claims and the “visual landscape” of the area.”
The area has also been identified by state wildlife agencies in California and Nevada as important for bighorn sheep connectivity. In letters to BLM, the agencies expressed concern that wind development in this area would disrupt sheep movement between the mountain ranges.
Looking ahead — permanently protecting this landscape and advancing smart renewable energy development
Though the threat of the proposed Crescent Peak wind project is now behind us, the work to permanently protect this incredible landscape is still ahead. We hope to see those who care deeply about this region, including Native American tribes, local residents, conservation advocates, elected officials and state and federal agencies, work together to ensure that this Mojave Desert gem is protected for future generations.
We also call on BLM to continue its leadership in advancing responsible renewable energy development on public lands that is done in the right places (areas that have been previously disturbed and/or have comparatively low resource values) and the right ways (with appropriate measures to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts). One win-win opportunity we hope Nevada and other states will take advantage of is re-powering previously impacted sites with solar, wind and geothermal — a recent analysis showed that Nevada could meet the 50% by 2030 Renewable Energy Standard ballot initiative that passed in November with renewable energy on old mines and other brownfield sites.
In southern Nevada, we will continue our diligent work to support responsible renewable energy development on public lands with a focus on identification of appropriate new solar Designated Leasing Areas (DLAs), or zones. We have strongly supported BLM’s successful Dry Lake solar DLA outside of Las Vegas, where 179 MW of solar projects are already built with more on the way. We’re in favor of BLM’s ongoing efforts to expand this zone to the east, and we are working with partners and solar developers to recommend additional solar DLAs in southern Nevada.
Designating DLAs is the right way to responsibly plan for renewable energy development and mitigation on public lands because it provides for pre-screening to identify areas with high energy potential and lower conflicts; it also provides for engagement with developers and stakeholders to build support for appropriate sites. Though experience has shown that southern Nevada is not a prime area for responsible wind development, BLM should advance wind energy on public lands by following through on its efforts to designate appropriate wind DLAs in southwestern Utah and other regions in the west.
To meet Nevada’s renewable energy goals while protecting the state’s natural heritage, BLM must continue to take a smart approach to renewable energy development and conservation on our public lands.
