Moapa Band of Paiute Indians Moves Forward With Another Solar Development

Thursday, March 3, 2022

Indianz.Com

The Moapa Band of Paiute Indians is moving forward with another solar power development on Nevada tribal lands. The Chuckwalla Solar Projects consist of four solar photovoltaic generation and storage projects on the Moapa River Reserve. According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the development would provide a combined capacity of up to 700 megawatts for the tribe. “Clean energy, including solar projects like these in Nevada, will help tribal communities be part of the climate solution,” Indian Affairs Assistant Secretary Bryan Newland said in a press release Thursday. “We are proud to play a part in the administration’s whole-of-government approach to its ambitious renewable energy goals, which will boost local economies and address economic and environmental injustices,” said Newland, a citizen of the Bay Mills Indian community.

As part of a partnership between Primoris Renewable Energy, our client, and the Moapa Band of Paiutes, a 380mW solar power installation was designed and built at the Moapa Indian Reservation in Nevada. The project employed over 150 tribal members during peak construction: https://t.co/cK7aDOBtth pic.twitter.com/Afe1mA3DIC

— Primoris Services Corporation (@PrimServices) December 29, 2021

Chuckwalla joins two other solar projects being developed for the Moapa Band. Construction recently began on the Arrow Canyon Solar Project which will produce enough electricity to power up to 64,000 homes. It should be finished by December. The Southern Bighorn solar project received final federal approval last summer. This development is even bigger, with the capacity to power up to 128,000 homes. “Now is the time for a clean energy future – and tribal communities have an important role to play in the administration’s ambitious goals,” Secretary Deb Haaland, who is the first Indigenous person to lead the Home Office, said in a news release on July 16, 2021. “These solar projects will support local tribal economies while adding to the country’s clean energy supply. “The department is committed to making bold investments that will address the climate crisis, create well-paying jobs, and advance environmental justice,” said Haaland, a Pueblo de Laguna citizen. On Friday, the BIA publishes the Notice of Proposed Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Chuckwalla Solar Projects in the Federal Register. Two virtual town hall meetings have been scheduled: 1:30 p.m. MT on Tuesday, March 15 and 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16. Once the Environmental Protection Agency posts its own notice of DEIS availability in the Federal Register, a 45-day comment period will begin. More information about the involvement can be found at chuckwallasolarprojectseis.com.

Federal Register Notice Coming Soon

Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Proposed Chuckwalla Solar Projects, Clark County, Nevada (to be released March 4, 2022)