Friends of Nevada Wilderness and Basin and Range Watch have brought on a lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management over its approval of a 472-mile NV Energy transmission line called Greenlink West.
The transmission line, as approved, would run between Nevada’s two largest metropolitan areas: Las Vegas and Reno.
The transmission line is valued at several billion dollars and would allow the state to create a stronger foundation of solar power via mass solar farms. The energy generated at these solar farms would then be transferred to urban centers.
Greenlink West is a complementary project to Greenlink North, which is a 235-mile transmission line being developed to connect Yerington to Ely.
The environmental groups are suing the BLM over allegations of the government entity failing to consider the proposed Esmeralda 7. Esmeralda 7 is a proposed solar facility in Esmeralda County that would be constructed on 185 miles of land. This could potentially be the largest solar farm on the continent.
The plaintiffs went on to claim the Bureau ignored the environmental impact statements and that a more thorough examination should have taken place.
The lawsuit specifically alleges developments could affect fossils protected by the National Park Service Organic Act of 2016. Plans call for the transmission line to cut through the Tule Springs Fossil Bed National Monument. Notably, while NV Energy is involved in the development, it is not involved in the legal action.
The complaint also argues the BLM is not looking into holistic impacts on local flora and fauna such as the bighorn sheep and desert tortoise.
The transmission line was originally approved under the Biden administration, a representative of which claimed the project is a step toward Nevada becoming a pioneer in green energy.
If construction continues as planned, Greenlink West is set to come online in May 2027. (Source)
