A massive proposed solar power project in Nevada that would have ranked among the world’s largest appears to be dead.
The Bureau of Land Management on Thursday updated its planning website for the Esmeralda 7 project to note that the agency’s environmental review has been “cancelled.” No explanation was offered for the designation.
The demise of the project in southern Nevada, which would have covered 185 square miles and produced enough electricity to power nearly 2 million homes, is the strongest signal yet that the Trump administration’s skepticism of renewable energy extends to solar.
Esmeralda 7 included seven solar power projects proposed by different companies, including NextEra Energy Resources, Leeward Renewable Energy, Arevia Power and Invenergy. The joint proposals swiftly moved through the permitting process under the Biden administration but froze after President Donald Trump took office. A long-anticipated final programmatic environmental impact statement was never released.
