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FES 12-24 • DOE/EIS-0403

Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for Solar Energy Development in Six Southwestern States

Volume 1

Executive Summary

Chapters 1–7, 14–16

July 2012

Bureau of Land Management

U.S. Department of Energy

Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for Solar Energy Development in Six Southwestern States (FES 12-24; DOE/EIS-0403)

Responsible Agencies: The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are co-lead agencies. Nineteen cooperating agencies participated in the preparation of this PEIS: U.S. Department of Defense; U.S. Bureau of Reclamation; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; U.S. National Park Service; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Pacific Division; Arizona Game and Fish Department; California Energy Commission; California Public Utilities Commission; Nevada Department of Wildlife; N-4 Grazing Board, Nevada; Utah Public Lands Policy Coordination Office; Clark County, Nevada, including Clark County Department of Aviation; Doña Ana County, New Mexico; Esmeralda County, Nevada; Eureka County, Nevada; Lincoln County, Nevada; Nye County, Nevada; and Saguache County, Colorado.

Locations: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.

Contacts: For further information about this PEIS, contact: Shannon Stewart, BLM Washington Office, e-mail: shannon_stewart@blm.gov, phone: (202) 912-7219; or Jane Summerson, DOE Solar PEIS Document Manager, e-mail: jane.summerson@ee.doe.gov, phone: (202) 287-6188; or visit the PEIS Web site at http://solareis.anl.gov.

Abstract: The BLM and DOE have jointly prepared this PEIS to evaluate actions that the agencies are considering taking to further facilitate utility-scale solar energy development in six southwestern states.1 For the BLM, this includes the evaluation of a new Solar Energy Program applicable to solar development on BLM-administered lands. For DOE, it includes the evaluation of developing new guidance to further facilitate utility-scale solar energy development and maximize the mitigation of associated potential environmental impacts. This Solar PEIS evaluates the potential environmental, social, and economic effects of the agencies’ proposed actions and alternatives in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality’s regulations for implementing NEPA (Title 40, Parts 1500–1508 of the Code of Federal Regulations [40 CFR Parts 1500–1508]), and applicable BLM and DOE authorities.

For the BLM, the Final Solar PEIS analyzes a no action alternative, under which solar energy development would continue on BLM-administered lands in accordance with the terms and conditions of the BLM’s existing solar energy policies, and two action alternatives that involve implementing a new BLM Solar Energy Program that would allow the permitting of future solar energy development projects on public lands to proceed in a more efficient, standardized, and environmentally responsible manner. The proposed program would establish right-of-way authorization policies and design features applicable to all utility-scale solar energy development on BLM-administered lands. It would identify categories of lands to be excluded from utility-scale solar energy development and specific locations well suited for utility-scale production of solar energy where the BLM would prioritize development (i.e., solar energy zones or SEZs). The proposed action would also allow for responsible utility-scale solar development on lands outside of priority areas.

1Utility-scale facilities are defined as projects that generate electricity that is delivered into the electricity transmission grid, generally with capacities greater than 20 megawatts (MW).

For DOE, the Final PEIS analyzes a no action alternative, under which DOE would continue to address environmental concerns for DOE-supported solar projects on a case-by-case basis, and an action alternative, under which DOE would adopt programmatic environmental guidance for use in DOEsupported solar projects.

The BLM and DOE initiated the Solar PEIS process in May 2008. On December 17, 2010, the BLM and DOE published the Draft Solar PEIS. Subsequently, on October 28, 2011, the lead agencies published the Supplement to the Draft Solar PEIS, in which adjustments were made to elements of BLM’s proposed Solar Energy Program to better meet BLM’s solar energy objectives, and in which DOE’s proposed programmatic environmental guidance was presented.

Chapter 12: Chapter 13:
Update to Affected Environment and Impact Assessment for Proposed Solar Energy Zones in New Mexico
Update to Affected Environment and Impact Assessment for Proposed Solar Energy Zones in Utah
Chapter 11:
VOLUME 5
Update to Affected Environment and Impact Assessment for Proposed Solar Energy Zones in Nevada
Chapter 10:
VOLUME 4
Update to Affected Environment and Impact Assessment for Proposed Solar Energy Zones in Colorado
Chapter 8: Chapter 9:
VOLUME 3
Update to Affected Environment and Impact Assessment for Proposed Solar Energy Zones in Arizona
Update to Affected Environment and Impact Assessment for Proposed Solar Energy Zones in California
VOLUME 2
Chapter 15: Chapter 16:
Chapter 6: Chapter 7: Chapter 14:
Chapter 4: Chapter 5:
Executive Summary Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Description of Alternatives and Reasonably Forseeable Development Scenario Chapter 3: Update to Overview of Solar Energy Power Production Technologies,
Development, and Regulation Update to Affected Environment
Update to Impacts of Solar Energy Development and Potential Mitigation Measures
Analysis of BLM’s Solar Energy Development Alternatives Analysis of DOE’s Alternatives
Update to Consultation and Coordination Undertaken to Support Preparation of the PEIS
List of Preparers Glossary
VOLUME 1
SOLAR PEIS CONTENTS

 

SOLAR PEIS CONTENTS (Cont.)

VOLUME 6

 

Appendix A:

Current and Proposed Bureau of Land Management Solar Energy Development

 

Policies and Design Features

Appendix B:

Approved and Pending Solar Applications

Appendix C:

Proposed BLM Land Use Plan Amendments under the BLM Action Alternatives

 

of the Solar Energy Development Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

Appendix D:

Update to Summary of Regional Initiatives and State Plans for Solar Energy

 

Development and Transmission Development to Support Renewable Energy

 

Development

Appendix E: Update to Methods for Estimating Reasonably Foreseeable Development

 

Scenarios for Solar Energy Development

Appendix F:

Update to Solar Energy Technology Overview

Appendix G:

Update to Transmission Constraint Analysis

Appendix H:

Update to Federal, State, and County Requirements Potentially Applicable to

 

Solar Energy Projects

Appendix I:

Update to Ecoregions of the Six-State Study Area and Land Cover Types of the

 

Proposed Solar Energy Zones

Appendix J:

Special Status Species Associated with BLM’s Alternatives in the Six-State Study

 

Area

Appendix K:

Update to Government-to-Government and Cultural Resource Consultations

Appendix L:

Update to GIS Data Sources and Methodology

Appendix M: Update to Methodologies and Data Sources for the Analysis of Impacts of Solar Energy Development on Resources

Appendix N: Update to Viewshed Maps for Proposed Solar Energy Zones

Appendix O: Intermittent/Ephemeral Stream Evaluation and Groundwater Modeling Analyses

VOLUME 7

Comments and Responses for the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Solar Energy Development in Six Southwestern States

1

 

 

VOLUME 1 CONTENTS

 

2

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

4

NOTATION......................................................................................................................

 

 

xv

5

 

 

 

 

6

ENGLISH/METRIC AND METRIC/ENGLISH EQUIVALENTS ................................

xxviii

7

 

 

 

 

8

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..............................................................................................

 

ES-1

9

 

 

 

 

10

ES.1 Background.....................................................................................................

 

ES-1

11

ES.2 BLM Proposed Action ....................................................................................

ES-1

12

ES.2.1

BLM Purpose and Need...................................................................

ES-2

13

ES.2.2

BLM Scope of Analysis...................................................................

ES-3

14

ES.2.3

Applications for Solar Energy Development on BLM Lands .........

ES-4

15

ES.2.4

BLM Alternatives ............................................................................

ES-4

16

 

ES.2.4.1 Program Elements Common to Both BLM

 

17

 

 

Action Alternatives........................................................

ES-5

18

 

ES.2.4.2 Solar Energy Development Program Alternative

 

19

 

 

(BLM Preferred Alternative) .........................................

ES-7

20

 

ES.2.4.3 Solar Energy Zone Program Alternative .......................

ES-15

21

 

ES.2.4.4

No Action Alternative....................................................

ES-15

22

 

ES.2.4.5 Reasonably Foreseeable Solar Energy Development ....

ES-15

23

 

ES.2.4.6 Summary of Impacts of BLM’s Alternatives ................

ES-16

24

 

ES.2.4.7

BLM’s Preferred Alternative.........................................

ES-17

25

ES.3 DOE Proposed Action.....................................................................................

ES-40

26

ES.3.1

DOE Purpose and Need ...................................................................

ES-41

27

ES.3.2

DOE Scope of Analysis ...................................................................

ES-41

28

ES.3.3

DOE Alternatives.............................................................................

ES-42

29

 

ES.3.3.1 Action Alternative (DOE Preferred Alternative)...........

ES-42

30

 

ES.3.3.2

No Action Alternative....................................................

ES-42

31

ES.3.4

Summary of Impacts of DOE’s Alternatives...................................

ES-42

32

ES.4 Public Involvement, Consultation, and Coordination.....................................

ES-44

33

ES.5 References.......................................................................................................

 

ES-45

34

 

 

 

 

35

1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................

 

1-1

36

 

 

 

 

37

1.1 Applicable Federal Orders and Mandates.......................................................

1-2

38

1.1.1

Executive Order 13212 ....................................................................

1-2

39

1.1.2

Energy Policy Act of 2005...............................................................

1-3

40

1.1.3

Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 .............................

1-3

41

1.1.4

DOI Secretarial Order 3285A1........................................................

1-3

42

1.1.5

Executive Order 13514 ....................................................................

1-4

43

1.1.6

DOI Secretarial Order 3297.............................................................

1-4

44

1.2 Overview of Solar Energy Technologies and Resources Considered in

 

45

the PEIS ..........................................................................................................

 

 

1-4

46

 

 

 

 

Final Solar PEIS

i

July 2012

1

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS (Cont.)

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

1.3 BLM Requirements and Objectives for the PEIS...........................................

1-5

5

 

 

1.3.1

BLM’s Purpose and Need................................................................

1-8

6

 

 

1.3.2

BLM Decisions To Be Made...........................................................

1-9

7

 

 

1.3.3

Authorization Process for Solar Energy Development on

 

8

 

 

 

BLM Lands......................................................................................

1-11

9

 

 

 

1.3.3.1

New Applications ..........................................................

1-12

10

 

 

 

1.3.3.2

Pending Applications.....................................................

1-12

11

 

 

 

1.3.3.3

Approved Applications..................................................

1-15

12

 

 

1.3.4

BLM Land Use Planning Process....................................................

1-15

13

 

 

1.3.5

BLM Scope of the Analysis.............................................................

1-16

14

 

 

 

1.3.5.1

Program Analysis Versus SEZ-Specific Analysis.........

1-17

15

 

 

1.3.6

BLM Planning Criteria ....................................................................

1-18

16

 

1.4 DOE Requirements and Objectives for the PEIS ...........................................

1-19

17

 

 

1.4.1

DOE’s Purpose and Need ................................................................

1-20

18

 

 

1.4.2

DOE Decisions To Be Made ...........................................................

1-21

19

 

 

1.4.3

DOE Scope of the Analysis .............................................................

1-21

20

 

1.5

Cooperating Agencies.....................................................................................

1-22

21

 

1.6 Relationship of the BLM’s Proposed Program and DOE’s Proposed

 

22

 

 

Strategy to Other Programs, Policies, and Plans.............................................

1-23

23

 

 

1.6.1

Renewable Portfolio Standards and Other Regional and

 

24

 

 

 

State Initiatives ................................................................................

1-23

25

 

 

1.6.2

Related Initiatives ............................................................................

1-25

26

 

 

 

1.6.2.1

Energy Corridor Designation.........................................

1-25

27

 

 

 

1.6.2.2

Landscape Conservation Cooperatives and BLM’s

 

28

 

 

 

 

Proposed Landscape Approach......................................

1-26

29

 

 

 

1.6.2.3

California Desert Renewable Energy Conservation

 

30

 

 

 

 

Plan ................................................................................

1-27

31

 

 

 

1.6.2.4

Arizona Restoration Design Energy Project..................

1-27

32

 

 

 

1.6.2.5

Wind Energy Development PEIS ..................................

1-27

33

 

 

 

1.6.2.6

Geothermal PEIS ...........................................................

1-28

34

 

1.7 Organization of the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement............

1-28

35

 

1.8

References.......................................................................................................

 

1-32

36

 

 

 

 

 

 

37

2

DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES AND REASONABLY FORESEEABLE

 

38

 

DEVELOPMENT SCENARIO...............................................................................

2-1

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

40

 

2.1

Introduction.....................................................................................................

 

2-1

41

 

2.2

BLM Alternatives ...........................................................................................

 

2-3

42

 

 

2.2.1

Program Elements Common to Both BLM Action Alternatives.....

2-3

43

 

 

 

2.2.1.1

Right-of-Way Authorization Policies ............................

2-3

44

 

 

 

2.2.1.2

Monitoring, Adaptive Management, and Mitigation.....

2-16

45

 

 

 

2.2.1.3

Design Features..............................................................

2-18

46

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final Solar PEIS

ii

July 2012

1

 

 

CONTENTS (Cont.)

 

2

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

4

 

2.2.1.4

Segregation of Lands with Potential for Solar

 

5

 

 

Development ..................................................................

2-18

6

2.2.2

Solar Energy Development Program Alternative (BLM

 

7

 

Preferred Alternative) ......................................................................

2-18

8

 

2.2.2.1

Proposed Right - of - Way Exclusion Areas ......................

2-19

9

 

2.2.2.2

Proposed Solar Energy Zones ........................................

2-23

10

 

2.2.2.3

Proposed Variance Areas for Utility - Scale Solar

 

11

 

 

Energy Development .....................................................

2-43

12

 

2.2.2.4

Land Use Plans To Be Amended ...................................

2-56

13

2.2.3

SEZ Program Alternative.................................................................

2-56

14

 

2.2.3.1

Proposed Right - of - Way Exclusion Areas ......................

2-56

15

 

2.2.3.2

Proposed Solar Energy Zones ........................................

2-56

16

 

2.2.3.3

Solar Energy Zone Policies ............................................

2-57

17

 

2.2.3.4

Land Use Plans To Be Amended ...................................

2-57

18

2.3 DOE Alternatives

............................................................................................

2-57

19

2.3.1

No Action ......................................................................Alternative

2-57

20

2.3.2

Action Alternative—DOE’s Proposed Programmatic

 

21

 

Environmental ...................Guidance (DOE Preferred Alternative)

2-58

22

 

2.3.2.1 .........................................

General Mitigation Measures

2-58

23

 

2.3.2.2 ..................................

Institutional and Public Outreach

2-59

24

 

2.3.2.3 ........................................................................

Land Use

2-59

25

 

2.3.2.4 ...........................

Water Resources and Erosion Control

2-60

26

 

2.3.2.5 .....................................................

Biological Resources

2-61

27

 

2.3.2.6 .....................................................................

Air Quality

2-61

28

 

2.3.2.7

Cultural Resources and Native American

 

29

 

.....................................................................

Interactions

2-62

30

 

2.3.2.8 ...................................

Visual Resources and Aesthetics

2-62

31

 

2.3.2.9 .............................................................

Socioeconomics

2-63

32

 

2.3.2.10 ....................................................

Environmental Justice

2-63

33

 

2.3.2.11 ...........................................................

Safety and Health

2-64

34

2.4 Description of Reasonably ....................Foreseeable Development Scenario

2-64

35

2.4.1

Comparison of RFDS with Lands Available under the Action

 

36

 

Alternatives......................................................................................

2-66

37

2.5 Other Alternatives ......................................................and Issues Considered

2-67

38

2.5.1

Distributed .....................................................................Generation

2-68

39

2.5.2

Conservation ................................and Demand-Side Management

2-69

40

2.5.3

Analysis ......of Life-Cycle Impacts of Solar Energy Development

2-70

41

2.5.4

Analysis of Development on Other Federal, State, or Private

 

42

 

Lands................................................................................................

 

2-70

43

2.5.5

Restricting ................Development to Previously Disturbed Lands

2-71

44

2.5.6

Restricting ..................................Development to Populated Areas

2-71

45

2.5.7

Restricting Development to the Fast-Track Project

 

46

 

Applications.....................................................................................

2-72

Final Solar PEIS

iii

July 2012

1

 

 

 

CONTENTS (Cont.)

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

2.5.8

Analysis of Development on the Maximum Amount of Public

 

5

 

 

 

Lands Allowable ..............................................................................

2-72

6

 

 

2.5.9

Changes to BLM’s Proposed Solar Energy Zones ..........................

2-73

7

 

 

2.5.10

Other Suggested Alternatives ..........................................................

2-73

8

 

 

2.5.11

DOE Environmental Requirements .................................................

2-74

9

 

2.6

References.......................................................................................................

2-81

10

 

 

 

 

 

11

3

UPDATE TO OVERVIEW OF SOLAR ENERGY POWER PRODUCTION

 

12

 

TECHNOLOGIES, DEVELOPMENT, AND REGULATION ..............................

3-1

13

 

 

 

 

 

14

 

3.1

Technologies...................................................................................................

3-1

15

 

3.2

Development Process Overview for All Technologies...................................

3-2

16

 

 

3.2.1

Site Characterization ........................................................................

3-2

17

 

 

3.2.2

Site Preparation and Construction ...................................................

3-3

18

 

 

3.2.3

Operations ........................................................................................

3-3

19

 

 

3.2.4

Decommissioning and Reclamation ................................................

3-3

20

 

 

3.2.5

Transmission Facilities ....................................................................

3-4

21

 

3.3

Laws and Executive Orders Potentially Applicable to Solar Energy

 

22

 

 

and Transmission Line Projects......................................................................

3-5

23

 

3.4

Transportation Considerations........................................................................

3-5

24

 

3.5

Hazardous Materials and Wastes Associated with Solar Energy

 

25

 

 

Facilities

..........................................................................................................

3-6

26

 

3.6

Health and ......................................Safety Aspects of Solar Energy Projects

3-6

27

 

3.7

Existing Agency ......................................................Processes and Guidance

3-6

28

 

3.8

References.......................................................................................................

3-7

29

 

 

 

 

 

30

4

UPDATE TO AFFECTED ........................................................ENVIRONMENT

4-1

31

 

 

 

 

 

32

 

4.1

Introduction.....................................................................................................

4-1

33

 

4.2

Lands and .............................................................................................Realty

4-1

34

 

4.3

Specially .......Designated Areas and Lands with Wilderness Characteristics

4-1

35

 

4.4

Rangeland ......................................................................................Resources

4-2

36

 

 

4.4.1 ............................................................................

Livestock Grazing

4-2

37

 

 

4.4.2 ...................................................................

Wild Horses and Burros

4-3

38

 

 

4.4.3 ...................................................................................

Wildland Fire

4-3

39

 

4.5

Recreation .......................................................................................................

4-3

40

 

4.6

Military and ........................................................................Civilian Aviation

4-3

41

 

4.7

Geologic ..............................................................Setting and Soil Resources

4-4

42

 

 

4.7.1 ..............................................................................

Geologic Setting

4-4

43

 

 

4.7.2 .............................................................................

Geologic Hazards

4-4

44

 

 

4.7.3 ..................................................................................

Soil Resources

4-4

45

 

4.8

Minerals ..........................................................................................................

 

4-5

46

 

 

 

 

 

Final Solar PEIS

iv

July 2012

1

 

 

 

CONTENTS (Cont.)

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

4.9

Water Resources .............................................................................................

4-6

5

 

 

4.9.1

Surface Water Resources.................................................................

4-6

6

 

 

4.9.2

Groundwater Resources...................................................................

4-6

7

 

 

4.9.3

Water Rights, Supply, and Use........................................................

4-13

8

 

4.10

Ecological Resources......................................................................................

4-15

9

 

 

4.10.1

Vegetation........................................................................................

4-15

10

 

 

4.10.2

Wildlife ............................................................................................

4-15

11

 

 

4.10.3

Aquatic Biota ...................................................................................

4-16

12

 

 

 

4.10.3.1 Pacific Northwest Hydrologic Region...........................

4-16

13

 

 

 

4.10.3.2 Lower Colorado, Rio Grande, and Great Basin

 

14

 

 

 

Hydrologic Regions .......................................................

4-16

15

 

 

 

4.10.3.3 California Hydrologic Region .......................................

4-17

16

 

 

 

4.10.3.4 Upper Colorado River Hydrologic Region....................

4-17

17

 

 

 

4.10.3.5 Missouri River Basin Hydrologic Region .....................

4-17

18

 

 

4.10.4

Special Status Species......................................................................

4-17

19

 

4.11

Air Quality and Climate..................................................................................

4-18

20

 

 

4.11.1

Update to Section 4.11.2.2 of the Draft Solar PEIS: National

 

21

 

 

 

Ambient Air Quality Standards .......................................................

4-18

22

 

 

4.11.2

Update to Section 4.11.2.3 of the Draft Solar PEIS:

 

23

 

 

 

Prevention of Significant Deterioration...........................................

4-18

24

 

 

4.11.3

Update to Section 4.11.2.4 of the Draft Solar PEIS: Visibility

 

25

 

 

 

Protection.........................................................................................

4-22

26

 

 

4.11.4

Update to Section 4.11.2.5 of the Draft Solar PEIS: General

 

27

 

 

 

Conformity.......................................................................................

4-26

28

 

 

4.11.5

Addition of New Section 4.11.4: Toxic Dust and Snowmelt ..........

4-26

29

 

4.12

Visual Resources.............................................................................................

4-27

30

 

4.13

Acoustic Environment ....................................................................................

4-29

31

 

4.14

Paleontological Resources ..............................................................................

4-29

32

 

4.15

Cultural Resources..........................................................................................

4-29

33

 

4.16

Native American Concerns.............................................................................

4-31

34

 

4.17

Socioeconomics ..............................................................................................

4-40

35

 

4.18

Environmental Justice.....................................................................................

4-40

36

 

4.19

References.......................................................................................................

4-41

37

 

4.20

Errata to Chapter 4 of the Draft Solar PEIS....................................................

4-46

38

 

 

 

 

 

39

5

UPDATE TO IMPACTS OF SOLAR ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

 

40

 

AND POTENTIAL MITIGATION MEASURES ..................................................

5-1

41

 

 

 

 

 

42

 

5.1

Introduction.....................................................................................................

5-1

43

 

5.2

Lands and Realty.............................................................................................

5-1

44

 

5.3

Specially Designated Areas and Lands with Wilderness Characteristics.......

5-2

45

 

5.4

Rangeland Resources......................................................................................

5-3

46

 

 

5.4.1

Livestock Grazing............................................................................

5-3

Final Solar PEIS

v

July 2012

1

 

 

CONTENTS (Cont.)

 

2

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

4

 

5.4.2

Wild Horses and Burros ...................................................................

5-4

5

 

5.4.3

Wildland Fire ...................................................................................

5-4

6

5.5

Recreation .......................................................................................................

 

5-4

7

5.6

Military and Civilian Aviation........................................................................

5-5

8

5.7

Geologic Setting and Soil Resources..............................................................

5-6

9

5.8

Minerals

 

5-7

10

5.9

Water Resources .............................................................................................

 

5-7

11

5.10

Ecological ......................................................................................Resources

5-10

12

 

5.10.1 ........................................................................................

 

5-10

13

 

5.10.2 ............................................................................................

 

5-11

14

 

5.10.3 ..............................................................

Aquatic Biota and Habitats

5-13

15

 

...........................................................

Common Impacts

5-13

16

 

........................................

Technology-Specific Impacts

5-15

17

 

5.10.4 ......................................................................

Special Status Species

5-15

18

5.11

Air Quality ..................................................................................and Climate

5-16

19

 

5.11.1 .............................................................................

Common Impacts

5-17

20

 

 

5.11.1.1 Construction: Update to Section 5.11.1.2

 

21

 

..................................................

of the Draft Solar PEIS

5-17

22

 

 

5.11.1.2 Operations: Update to Section 5.11.1.3

 

23

 

..................................................

of the Draft Solar PEIS

5-17

24

 

 

5.11.1.3 Decommissioning and Reclamation: Update to

 

25

 

.......................

Section 5.11.1.4 of the Draft Solar PEIS

5-18

26

 

 

5.11.1.4 Impacts of GHG Emissions: Update to

 

27

 

..........................

Section 5.11.4 of the Draft Solar PEIS

5-18

28

5.12

Visual Resources.............................................................................................

 

5-19

29

5.13

Acoustic ....................................................................................Environment

5-21

30

 

5.13.1 .............................................................................

Common Impacts

5-21

31

 

 

5.13.1.1 Construction: Update to Section 5.13.1.2

 

32

 

..................................................

of the Draft Solar PEIS

5-21

33

 

 

5.13.1.2 Operations: Update to Section 5.13.1.3

 

34

 

..................................................

of the Draft Solar PEIS

5-22

35

5.14

Paleontological ..............................................................................Resources

5-22

36

5.15

Cultural Resources..........................................................................................

 

5-22

37

 

5.15.1 .............................................................................

Common Impacts

5-23

38

5.16

Native American .............................................................................Concerns

5-24

39

5.17

Socioeconomics ..............................................................................................

 

5-24

40

5.18

Environmental .....................................................................................Justice

5-25

41

5.19

Transportation.................................................................................................

 

5-25

42

5.20

Hazardous ......................................................................Materials and Waste

5-26

43

5.21

Health and ............................................................................................Safety

 

5-26

44

5.22

References.......................................................................................................

 

5-27

45

5.23

Errata to ....................................................Chapter 5 of the Draft Solar PEIS

5-33

46

 

 

 

 

Final Solar PEIS

vi

July 2012

1 CONTENTS (Cont.)

2

3

46 ANALYSIS OF BLM’S SOLAR ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

5

ALTERNATIVES ...................................................................................................

 

6-1

6

 

 

 

 

7

6.1 Impacts of the Solar Energy Development Program Alternative ...................

6-16

8

6.1.1

Facilitate Near-Term Solar Energy Development ...........................

6-17

9

6.1.2

Minimize Environmental Impacts ...................................................

6-19

10

6.1.3

Minimize Social and Economic Impacts .........................................

6-22

11

6.1.4

Provide Flexibility to Solar Industry ...............................................

6-23

12

6.1.5

Optimize Existing Transmission Infrastructure and

 

13

 

Corridors ..........................................................................................

 

6-24

14

6.1.6

Standardize and Streamline the Authorization Process ...................

6-24

15

6.1.7

Meet Projected Demand for Solar Energy Development ................

6-24

16

6.2 Impacts of the SEZ Program Alternative........................................................

6-25

17

6.2.1

Facilitate Near-Term Solar Energy Development ...........................

6-25

18

6.2.2

Minimize Environmental Impacts ...................................................

6-25

19

6.2.3

Minimize Social and Economic Impacts .........................................

6-27

20

6.2.4

Provide Flexibility to Solar Industry ...............................................

6-27

21

6.2.5

Optimize Existing Transmission Infrastructure and

 

22

 

Corridors ..........................................................................................

 

6-28

23

6.2.6

Standardize and Streamline the Authorization Process ...................

6-28

24

6.2.7

Meet Projected Demand for Solar Energy Development ................

6-28

25

6.3 Impacts of the No Action Alternative.............................................................

6-29

26

6.3.1

Facilitate Near-Term Solar Energy Development ...........................

6-30

27

6.3.2

Minimize Environmental Impacts ...................................................

6-30

28

6.3.3

Minimize Social and Economic Impacts .........................................

6-31

29

6.3.4

Provide Flexibility to Solar Industry ...............................................

6-31

30

6.3.5

Optimize Existing Transmission Infrastructure and Corridors........

6-32

31

6.3.6

Standardize and Streamline the Authorization Process ...................

6-32

32

6.3.7

Meet Projected Demand for Solar Energy Development ................

6-32

33

6.4 Comparison of Alternatives and Selection of Preferred Alternative ..............

6-32

34

6.5 Cumulative Impacts ........................................................................................

 

6-36

35

6.5.1

Overview of Activities in the Six-State Study Area........................

6-37

36

 

6.5.1.1

Energy Production and Distribution ..............................

6-38

37

 

6.5.1.2

Other Activities and Trends...........................................

6-51

38

6.5.2

Cumulative Impact Assessment for Solar Energy

 

39

 

Development....................................................................................

6-57

40

 

6.5.2.1

Lands and Realty ...........................................................

6-58

41

 

6.5.2.2

Specially Designated Areas and Lands with

 

42

 

 

Wilderness Characteristics.............................................

6-59

43

 

6.5.2.3

Rangeland Resources.....................................................

6-60

44

 

6.5.2.4

Recreation ......................................................................

6-61

45

 

6.5.2.5

Military and Civilian Aviation.......................................

6-61

46

 

6.5.2.6

Geologic Setting and Soil Resources.............................

6-62

Final Solar PEIS

vii

July 2012

1

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS (Cont.)

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

6.5.2.7

Mineral Resources .........................................................

6-62

5

 

 

 

6.5.2.8

Water Resources ............................................................

6-63

6

 

 

 

6.5.2.9

Ecological Resources.....................................................

6-64

7

 

 

 

6.5.2.10 Air Quality and Climate.................................................

6-67

8

 

 

 

6.5.2.11

Visual Resources............................................................

6-68

9

 

 

 

6.5.2.12

Acoustic Environment ...................................................

6-69

10

 

 

 

6.5.2.13

Paleontological Resources .............................................

6-70

11

 

 

 

6.5.2.14

Cultural Resources.........................................................

6-71

12

 

 

 

6.5.2.15

Native American Concerns............................................

6-71

13

 

 

 

6.5.2.16

Socioeconomics .............................................................

6-72

14

 

 

 

6.5.2.17

Environmental Justice....................................................

6-73

15

 

 

 

6.5.2.18

Transportation................................................................

6-73

16

 

6.6

Other NEPA Considerations...........................................................................

6-73

17

 

 

6.6.1

Unavoidable Adverse Impacts.........................................................

6-73

18

 

 

6.6.2

Short-Term Use of the Environment and Long-Term

 

19

 

 

 

Productivity......................................................................................

6-74

20

 

 

6.6.3

Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources................

6-75

21

 

 

6.6.4

Mitigation of Adverse Effects..........................................................

6-76

22

 

6.7

References.......................................................................................................

 

6-76

23

 

 

 

 

 

 

24

7

ANALYSIS OF DOE’S ALTERNATIVES............................................................

7-1

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

26

 

7.1

Impacts of DOE’s Proposed Action................................................................

7-2

27

 

7.2

Impacts of the No Action Alternative.............................................................

7-3

28

 

7.3

Cumulative Impacts ........................................................................................

 

7-3

29

 

7.4

Other NEPA Considerations...........................................................................

7-4

30

 

 

7.4.1

Unavoidable Adverse Impacts.........................................................

7-4

31

 

 

7.4.2

Short-Term Use of the Environment and Long-Term

 

32

 

 

 

Productivity......................................................................................

7-5

33

 

 

7.4.3

Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources................

7-6

34

 

 

7.4.4

Mitigation of Adverse Effects..........................................................

7-6

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

36

14 UPDATE TO CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION

 

37

 

UNDERTAKEN TO SUPPORT PREPARATION OF THE PEIS.........................

14-1

38

 

 

 

 

 

 

39

 

14.1

Public Scoping and Public Outreach...............................................................

14-1

40

 

14.2

Government-to-Government Consultation .....................................................

14-2

41

 

14.3

Coordination of BLM State and Field Offices................................................

14-3

42

 

14.4

Agency Cooperation, Consultation, and Coordination...................................

14-3

43

 

14.5

References.......................................................................................................

 

14-4

44

 

 

 

 

 

 

45

15

LIST OF PREPARERS ...........................................................................................

 

15-1

46

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final Solar PEIS

viii

July 2012

1

 

CONTENTS (Cont.)

 

2

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

4

16 GLOSSARY ............................................................................................................

16-1

5

 

 

 

6

 

FIGURES

 

7

 

 

8

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

10

ES.2-1

Areas Proposed for Exclusion Since Publication of the Supplement

 

11

 

to the Draft Solar PEIS Based on Continued Consultation with

 

12

 

Cooperating Agencies and Tribes.............................................................

ES-12

13

 

 

 

14

ES.2-2

BLM-Administered Lands in Arizona Available for Application for

 

15

 

Solar Energy ROW Authorizations under the BLM Alternatives

 

16

 

Considered in This PEIS...........................................................................

ES-34

17

 

 

 

18

ES.2-3

BLM-Administered Lands in California Available for Application

 

19

 

for Solar Energy ROW Authorizations under the BLM Alternatives

 

20

 

Considered in This PEIS...........................................................................

ES-35

21

 

 

 

22

ES.2-4

BLM-Administered Lands in Colorado Available for Application

 

23

 

for Solar Energy ROW Authorizations under the BLM Alternatives

 

24

 

Considered in This PEIS...........................................................................

ES-36

25

 

 

 

26

ES.2-5

BLM-Administered Lands in Nevada Available for Application for

 

27

 

Solar Energy ROW Authorizations under the BLM Alternatives

 

28

 

Considered in This PEIS...........................................................................

ES-37

29

 

 

 

30

ES.2-6

BLM-Administered Lands in New Mexico Available for

 

31

 

Application for Solar Energy ROW Authorizations under the BLM

 

32

 

Alternatives Considered in This PEIS ......................................................

ES-38

33

 

 

 

34

ES.2-7

BLM-Administered Lands in Utah Available for Application for

 

35

 

Solar Energy ROW Authorizations under the BLM Alternatives

 

36

 

Considered in This PEIS...........................................................................

ES-39

37

 

 

 

38

1.2-1

Typical Solar Fields for Various Technology Types: Solar

 

39

 

Parabolic Trough, Solar Power Tower, Dish Engine, and PV..................

1-6

40

 

 

 

41

1.2-2

Solar Direct Normal Insolation Levels in the Southwestern

 

42

 

United States .............................................................................................

1-7

43

 

 

 

44

2.2-1

BLM-Administered Lands in Arizona Available for Application for

 

45

 

Solar Energy ROW Authorizations under the BLM Alternatives

 

46

 

Considered in This PEIS...........................................................................

2-75

Final Solar PEIS

ix

July 2012

1

 

FIGURES (Cont.)

 

2

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

4

2.2-2

BLM-Administered Lands in California Available for Application

5

 

for Solar Energy ROW Authorizations under the BLM Alternatives

6

 

Considered in This PEIS...........................................................................

2-76

7

 

 

 

8

2.2-3

BLM-Administered Lands in Colorado Available for Application

9

 

for Solar Energy ROW Authorizations under the BLM Alternatives

10

 

Considered in This PEIS...........................................................................

2-77

11

 

 

 

12

2.2-4

BLM-Administered Lands in Nevada Available for Application

13

 

for Solar Energy ROW Authorizations under the BLM Alternatives

14

 

Considered in This PEIS...........................................................................

2-78

15

 

 

 

16

2.2-5

BLM-Administered Lands in New Mexico Available for

17

 

Application for Solar Energy ROW Authorizations under the

18

 

BLM Alternatives Considered in This PEIS.............................................

2-79

19

 

 

 

20

2.2-6

BLM-Administered Lands in Utah Available for Application

21

 

for Solar Energy ROW Authorizations under the BLM Alternatives

22

 

Considered in This PEIS...........................................................................

2-80

23

 

 

 

24

2.2-7

Areas Proposed for Exclusion Since Publication of the Supplement

25

 

to the Draft Solar PEIS Based on Continued Consultation with

26

 

Cooperating Agencies and Tribes.............................................................

2-24

27

 

 

 

28

2.2-8

Proposed SEZ Identification Protocol ......................................................

2-39

29

 

 

 

30

4.11-4

Nonattainment Areas for SO2, 8-Hour O3, PM10, PM2.5, and Pb in

31

 

the Six-State Study Area...........................................................................

4-21

32

 

 

 

33

4.11-6

PM2.5 Reconstructed Ambient Annual Mean Light Extinction

34

 

Coefficient for Soil and Annual Mean Percent Contribution of

35

 

Ambient Soil Light Extinction Coefficient to PM2.5

Reconstructed

36

 

Aerosol bext for 2005–2008 for Rural IMPROVE and Urban CSN

37

 

Sites in the Six-State Study Area..............................................................

4-24

38

 

 

 

39

4.11-7

Annual Mean Light Extinction Coefficient for Coarse Mass and

40

 

Annual Mean Percent Contribution of Coarse Mass Light Extinction

41

 

Coefficient to Total Reconstructed Aerosol bext for 2005–2008 for

42

 

Rural IMPROVE Sites in the Six-State Study Area .................................

4-25

43

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

Final Solar PEIS

x

July 2012

1 TABLES

2

3

4ES.2-1 Summary of Potentially Developable BLM-Administered Land

5

under the No Action Alternative, the Solar Energy Development

 

6

Program Alternative, and the SEZ Program Alternative ..........................

ES-5

7

 

 

8ES.2-2 Exclusions under BLM’s Solar Energy Development Program

9

 

Alternative.................................................................................................

ES-8

10

 

 

 

11

ES.2-3

Proposed SEZs and Approximate Acreage by State.................................

ES-13

12

 

 

 

13

ES.2-4

Reasonably Foreseeable Development Scenario: Projected

 

14

 

Megawatts of Solar Power Development by 2030 and

 

15

 

Corresponding Developed Acreage Estimates..........................................

ES-17

16

 

 

 

17

ES.2-5

Summary-Level Assessment of Potential Environmental Impacts

 

18

 

of Utility-Scale Solar Energy Development by Alternative .....................

ES-18

19

 

 

 

20

ES.2-6

Comparison of BLM’s Alternatives with Respect to Objectives for

 

21

 

the Agency’s Action .................................................................................

ES-30

22

 

 

 

23

1.3-1

Processing Approach for New and Pending Applications........................

1-12

24

 

 

 

25

1.6-1

RPS Requirements and Other State Initiatives in the Six-State

 

26

 

Study Area ................................................................................................

1-24

27

 

 

 

28

2.2-1

Summary of Potentially Developable BLM-Administered Land

 

29

 

under the No Action Alternative, the Solar Energy Development

 

30

 

Program Alternative, and the SEZ Program Alternative ..........................

2-4

31

 

 

 

32

2.2-2

Exclusions under BLM’s Solar Energy Development Program

 

33

 

Alternative.................................................................................................

2-20

34

 

 

 

35

2.2-3

Proposed SEZs and Approximate Acreage by State.................................

2-25

36

 

 

 

37

2.4-1

Projected Megawatts of Solar Power Development by 2030 and

 

38

 

Corresponding Developed Acreage Estimates for the RFDS...................

2-65

39

 

 

 

40

2.4-2

Percentage of Available Lands Developed by the BLM Action

 

41

 

Alternative Based on Estimated Acres Developed under the RFDS ........

2-66

42

 

 

 

43

3.1-1

Technology-Specific Assumptions for Environmental Impact

 

44

 

Analyses....................................................................................................

3-2

45

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

Final Solar PEIS

xi

July 2012

1

 

TABLES (Cont.)

 

2

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

4

4.9-2

Designation Classification and Administrative Authority for Wild

 

5

 

and Scenic Rivers in the Six-State Study Area.........................................

4-7

6

 

 

 

7

4.11-4

National Ambient Air Quality Standards and State Ambient Air

 

8

 

Quality Standards for Criteria Pollutants in the Six-State Study

 

9

 

Area as Updated........................................................................................

4-19

10

 

 

 

11

4.11-5

Maximum Allowable PSD Increments as Updated for PSD Class I

 

12

 

and Class II Areas .....................................................................................

4-22

13

 

 

 

14

4.12-1

Summary of Selected Potentially Sensitive Visual Resource Areas

 

15

 

within the Six-State Study Area................................................................

4-28

16

 

 

 

17

4.14-1

ACECs Designated for Protection of Paleontological Resource

 

18

 

Values That Are near BLM-Administered Lands Available for

 

19

 

Application through the Variance Process................................................

4-30

20

 

 

 

21

4.15-3

ACECs Designated for Protection of Cultural Resource Values

 

22

 

That Are near BLM-Administered Lands Available for

 

23

 

Application through the Variance Process................................................

4-32

24

 

 

 

25

4.20-1

Errata to Chapter 4 of the Draft Solar PEIS..............................................

4-47

26

 

 

 

27

5.23-1

Errata to Chapter 5 of the Draft Solar PEIS..............................................

5-34

28

 

 

 

29

6.1-1

Summary of Potentially Developable BLM-Administered Land

 

30

 

under the No Action Alternative, the Solar Energy Development

 

31

 

Program Alternative, and the SEZ Program Alternative ..........................

6-3

32

 

 

 

33

6.1-2

Summary-Level Assessment of Potential Environmental Impacts

 

34

 

of Utility-Scale Solar Energy Development by Alternative .....................

6-4

35

 

 

 

36

6.4-1

Comparison of BLM’s Alternatives with Respect to Objectives

 

37

 

for the Agencies’ Action...........................................................................

6-33

38

 

 

 

39

6.5-3

Programmatic-Level Actions on Federal Land.........................................

6-39

40

 

 

 

41

6.5-4

Trends in Oil and Gas Production in the Six-State Study Area................

6-40

42

 

 

 

43

6.5-5

Oil and Gas Activities on Public Lands of the United States in

 

44

 

FY 2010 ....................................................................................................

6-40

45

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

Final Solar PEIS

xii

July 2012

1

 

TABLES (Cont.)

 

2

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

4

6.5-6

Coal Production in the Producing States within the Six-State Study

 

5

 

Area in 2002 and 2010..............................................................................

6-41

6

 

 

 

7

6.5-7

Competitive and Noncompetitive Geothermal Leases on BLM

 

8

 

Public Lands in FY 2002 and FY 2010 ....................................................

6-42

9

 

 

 

10

6.5-8

Number of Existing Oil and Gas Pipeline and Transmission Line

 

11

 

ROWs on BLM Public Lands in FY 2002 and FY 2010..........................

6-43

12

 

 

 

13

6.5-9

Planned Transmission Projects, Including Expansions, in the

 

14

 

Six-State Study Area.................................................................................

6-44

15

 

 

 

16

6.5-10

Recreational Visits for the BLM and NPS in FY 2000 and FY 2010

 

17

 

and for USFS in FY 2000 and FY 2010 ...................................................

6-52

18

 

 

 

19

6.5-11

Solid Mineral Leases on BLM Public Lands in FY 2002 and

 

20

 

FY 2010 ....................................................................................................

6-53

21

 

 

 

22

6.5-12

Number and Acreage of DoD Facilities by Military Service in the

 

23

 

Six-State Study Area in FY 2011..............................................................

6-54

24

 

 

 

25

6.5-13

Grazing Land in the Six-State Study Area in 2007...................................

6-55

26

 

 

 

27

6.5-14

Grazing Permits and Leases and AUMs on BLM Public Lands in

 

28

 

FY 2002 and FY 2010...............................................................................

6-55

29

 

 

 

30

6.5-16

Population Change in the Six-State Study Area and the

 

31

 

United States from 2000 to 2011 ..............................................................

6-57

32

 

 

 

33

6.5-22

Comparison of CO2 Emissions from Different Generation

6-69

34

 

Methods per Average Megawatt...............................................................

35

 

 

 

36

15-1

Agency Management Team ......................................................................

15-1

37

 

 

 

38

15-2

Solar PEIS Preparers.................................................................................

15-2

39

 

 

 

40

 

 

 

Final Solar PEIS

xiii

July 2012

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13 This page intentionally left blank.

14

Final Solar PEIS

xiv

July 2012