U.S. BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
BLM approves Palen Solar Project in Riverside County

The Bureau of Land Management today (11/1) released its Record of Decision, authorizing the Palen Solar Project, a photovoltaic facility owned by EDF Renewable Energy, to occupy up to 3,140 acres of BLM-administered lands, approximately 10 miles east of Desert Center, north of Interstate 10, in Riverside County.

The Palen Solar Project advances the Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke's priorities of sustainably developing America's energy resources and ensuring energy dominance, while also modernizing infrastructure and creating jobs in local economies.  The project is expected to provide enough energy to power about 130,000 homes and employ more than 1,000 individuals during the project's peak with a construction-related, on-site workforce of more than 550 individuals. The Palen Solar Project will result in a private infrastructure investment of $1 billion, with $67.3 million in annual indirect economic benefit during construction.

"President Trump and Secretary Zinke have called for an all-of-the-above energy strategy that will ensure America's energy security, while also strengthening our infrastructure in support of the economy," said Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Joseph Balash.  "The Palen Solar Project will provide benefits to the local community and the region both now and in the future, demonstrating the critical role multiple-use public lands play for the BLM's neighbors and the nation as a whole."

EDF Renewable Energy received authorization from the BLM to construct a 500-megawatt solar photovoltaic facility and approximately seven-mile single circuit 230-kilovolt generation interconnection transmission line that would deliver power through the Southern California Edison Red Bluff Substation. It will include a main generation area, on-site substation, switchyard, site security, and a 230-kilvolt gen-tie line. The site may potentially include an operations and maintenance facility.

This decision amends the California Desert Conservation Area Land Use Plan and approves the Right-of-Way Authorization for the project. For further information, please visit http://goo.gl/5nkFMG, or contact Stephen Razo, 951-697-5217, srazo@blm.gov.