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Location: Churchill County, NV, approximately 65 miles northeast of Fallon
Acres: 7,157
Type of Project: geothermal
Developer: Terra-Gen Power, LLC (TGP Dixie Development Company, LLC is a subsidiary of Terra-Gen Power, LLC ("TGP"). TGP is primarily engaged in the development of wind, solar and geothermal projects. TGP is indirectly owned by ArcLight through its investment subsidiaries, and owns or leases 831 MW (net ownership interest) of generating capacity in geothermal, wind and solar through 21 renewable energy projects located across the western US.)
Potential Output: 62 MW
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Background
The Coyote Canyon and Dixie Meadows Geothermal Fast Track Drilling projects were combined into one Environmental Assessment (EA) because the two proposals have similar timing, geography and types of actions. The EA is for geothermal testing only. Further NEPA review will be necessary for construction of geothermal plants, if the wells produce enough heat to make the projects commercially viable. The 30-day public comment period on this EA closed on May 10, 2010.
The geothermal leases held by Terra-Gen Power, LLC (TGP) for the Coyote Canyon lease area for the exploration project is a total of 7,681 acres. The project area subject to possible impacts consists of 1,166 acres. Along with Dixie Meadows, the area also includes the Lamb Mineral Interest area (760 acres) of which 47 acres may be used to drill. Although TGP owns the mineral rights for this land, and surface use in extraction of any minerals, the U.S. Navy owns the land surface.
TGP submitted an initial plan to drill and test up to 15 explorations wells at 25 potential well pad sites in September, 2009. Then a revised plan was submitted in October 2009. TGP proposes to drill up to three wells per pad for geothermal resource exploration. Activities included with the well drilling are constructing new access roads, upgrading existing access roads, and construction of a temporary work camp.
9.6 miles of access roads and up to 15 well pads at Coyote Canyon will disturb up to 72.5 acres of project area. Combined with the approximately 9 miles of access road and up to 15 well pads that will disturb 51.3 acres at the Dixie Meadows Project area, all things considered, this is very little ground disturbed for the potential power output.
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Can this project be “smart from the start?”
The Coyote Canyon and Dixie Meadows projects fall partially within bighorn sheep occupied habitat. The Lahontan beardtongue, a penstemmon that is locally uncommon, is found within both project areas. Disturbance of the nearby Dixie Hot Springs is of concern to local Native American Tribes. The original plan for the drilling operation has been adjusted to address these concerns.
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How to take action
This project is being handled by:
BLM Carson City District’s Stillwater Field Office
5665 Morgan Mill Road
Carson City, NV 89701
Ph: 775-885-6000
Linda Kelly, Field Manager
A public scoping meeting for the TGP Coyote Canyon/Dixie Meadows Geothermal Utilization Projects (the geothermal facility itself) was held at the Churchill County Commissioners meeting August 18, 2010. Follow this link to find the latest at the BLM.
Do you have more information about this project for us? Please send us an e-mail. |
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