Trump administration cancels significant Nevada solar project

The Trump administration, in a significant policy move, announced the cancellation of the proposed Esmeralda 7 Solar Project on October 10, 2020, in Nevada. This project was set to become one of the world's largest solar power facilities, specifically designed to generate up to 6.2 gigawatts of energy, enough to power approximately 2 million homes. The intended site for this project was located on 118,000 acres in Esmeralda County, situated about 30 miles west of Tonopah and 270 miles northwest of Las Vegas. Officials from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) stated that the decision to cancel was made after ending an environmental impact review of the system. The cancellation was reported by Politico and received attention due to the Biden administration's previously favorable stance towards the project. Despite challenges, the project had support from major energy firms such as NextEra Energy and Invenergy, indicating significant interest in expanding renewable energy infrastructure. This cancellation was not an isolated incident, as there had been growing scrutiny and regulatory challenges imposed by the Trump administration for renewable energy initiatives since taking office in January 2017. President Donald Trump specifically voiced disapproval of solar and wind projects, arguing they were less economically viable compared to traditional sources like natural gas and coal. Under his leadership, the Interior Department intensified review requirements for such renewable projects, contributing to delays and halting various developments. Additionally, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, a Republican, expressed his concerns through a letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, arguing that delays in the project's completion would hinder Nevada's ability to meet the nation’s energy demands, especially related to mining and data center activities. Despite the cancellation of the Esmeralda 7 project, reports noted that a separate solar project, called Dodge Flat II, continues to move forward, suggesting that while renewable projects face challenges, the state's commitment to diversifying its energy portfolio persists.