Nye County commissioners approve early plan for Copper Rays solar project near Pahrump despite resident objections

What happened

Nye County commissioners on Tuesday gave early approval to Copper Rays Solar, a proposed large-scale commercial solar generation facility just southeast of Pahrump, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. The board voted 4 to 1 to grant developer Duane Enger a special use permit and to approve a preliminary development plan that Nye County code requires.

The project would cover 4,414 acres of Bureau of Land Management land on the border of Nye County and Clark County. The vote followed an hour of public comment during which several residents raised concerns about the plan.

Where the project stands

Federal review

The BLM issued its final environmental impact statement for the project in August, according to the Review-Journal. The developer has started the process of obtaining local approvals.

Promised revenue and jobs

Enger told commissioners the project would generate up to $94 million in local property tax revenue over its 36-year operating life, or more than $2 million annually. He also said it would provide up to $1 million per year in federal lease revenue.

A BLM report said the 54-month construction period would generate up to 400 jobs, the Review-Journal reported. Once complete, the facility would have five employees, and Enger said the company aims to give local residents priority when filling those positions.

Proposed community investments

Enger said a legally binding development agreement proposes up to $10 million in community investments. He listed public safety, fire protection, water stewardship, scholarships and recreational facilities as the areas that would be supported.

What residents said

Concerns over water and the environment

Several speakers raised concerns about the project's impact on water and the environment, and some said they were skeptical about taking the developer at his word. "Do we really want this in our town?" resident Nanette Markham asked, according to the Review-Journal.

Another resident, Joanie Hawley, told commissioners that if she had known earlier about all of the solar projects in the county, she would not have moved there. She noted she could have moved anywhere in the United States.

Support for jobs and revenue

Other speakers focused on employment opportunities, especially during construction, along with the promised financial benefits. "I think we can have good jobs, a stronger local economy and a responsible development at that same time," Jake Macias said, the Review-Journal reported.

How the developer answered concerns

Enger said the solar farm has been designed to reduce water demand during construction, though he did not say by how much, according to the Review-Journal. He said the facility would use only about 10 acre-feet of water during each year of operation.

He also said the company would grade only a small portion of the property. Tortoises would be relocated, and native plants such as yuccas and cacti would be salvaged, he said.

Commissioners' response

Commission chair Ron Boskovich praised the developer's openness and outreach on the project. Commissioner John Koenig pointed out that the developers have promised to preserve all off-highway vehicle trails that run through the property. "I trust them, and I don't trust many people," Koenig said.

For more on land-use decisions, see our development coverage. Water-related stories are collected in our water reporting.

What to watch next

• The developer is still working through local approvals, and Tuesday's vote covered a preliminary development plan and special use permit.
• The terms of the proposed legally binding development agreement, which includes up to $10 million in community investments.
• Project details are posted at LREUS.com and EPlanning.BLM.gov for residents who want to follow the review.