RICE SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT

​Rice Solar Energy, LLC proposes to construct a 150-MW solar-powered electrical generation facility in eastern Riverside County, Calif., approximately 40 miles from Blythe, 65 miles from Needles, and 75 miles from Twentynine Palms.  The proposed solar generation facility would be located on the site of a former airfield (Rice Army Airfield) that was used during World War II as a training site, later transferred to private use, and then abandoned sometime between 1955 and 1958.

The proposed Project would use concentrating solar “power tower” technology to capture the sun’s heat to make steam, which would power traditional steam turbine generators.  The solar generation facility would contain the power block, a central receiver or tower, solar fields which consist of mirrors or heliostats to reflect the sun’s energy to the central tower, a thermal energy storage system, technical and non-technical buildings, a storm water system, two onsite water wells, water supply and treatment system, a wastewater system, evaporation ponds, and other supporting facilities.  These facilities would be situated on 1,410 acres within the project parcel and would be surrounded by a site fence.  Other Project components would include a new transmission line, a new electrical substation, and an access road.

RSE has applied to WAPA to interconnect the proposed Project to WAPA’s power transmission system and has applied to the Bureau of Land Management for a right-of-way authorization to construct and operate a transmission line that would interconnect the proposed Project to WAPA’s transmission system. Under California law, the California Energy Commission is responsible for reviewing the Applications for Certification filed for thermal power plants over 50 MW, and also has the role of lead agency for the environmental review of such projects under the California Environmental Quality Act.


WAPA and the Bureau of Land Management Palm Springs – South Coast Field Office have issued a Record of Decision for the Rice Solar Energy project, using the joint Environmental Impact Statement/Staff Assessment, which included an amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area Plan, as a decision-making tool.

RECORD OF DECISION ISSUED

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT AVAILABLE

STAFF ASSESSMENT AND DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT AVAILABLE

SCOPING MEETING MATERIALS

CONTACT

Liana Reilly
National Environmental Policy Act Document Manager
Western Area Power Administration
P.O. Box 281213
Lakewood, CO  80228-8213
E-mail: RiceSolar@wapa.gov

Allison Shaffer
Project Manager
Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office. BLM
1201 Bird Center Drive
Palm Springs, CA  92262
E-mail: CAPSSolarRice@blm.gov

 

Last modified on May 6th, 2024