US ready with enviro assessment for Nevada geothermal auction

The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has concluded the environmental assessment for two geothermal parcels in Mineral County, Nevada, ahead of a planned lease sale for the sites in October.

The proposed lease sale covers almost 2,800 acres (1,133ha) of public land south of the community of Hawthorne for the exploration and production of geothermal power, the BLM said on Wednesday. Separately, some 3,000 acres of land managed by the US Forest Service may also be included in the auction, if approved by the agency. The latter will conduct an independent study.

The environmental assessment will be available for public examination and comment by the end of June. The analysis covers the effects of leasing the geothermal areas to the human and natural environment, the BLM said.

The Department of the Interior’s office BLM also awaits public comments and information regarding historic properties in or in proximity to the two parcel areas.

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