The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced an invitation for public comment on the Sapphire Solar Project. This proposed solar energy project aims to generate and store up to 117 megawatts of photovoltaic solar energy, with the electricity being delivered to the statewide transmission grid.
According to a press release issued by BLM, the proposed project will require approximately 41 acres in east Riverside County for access roads, facilities, and transmission lines. An additional 1,082 acres of adjoining private land will be used to support the solar panel arrays, battery energy storage, and associated facilities.
A document from the Riverside County Planning Department reveals that the project's site is located approximately five miles north of Desert Center. It is bounded on the north, east, and west by BLM lands. EDF Renewables Development Inc., representing Sapphire Solar LLC, will be responsible for constructing, operating, and maintaining the project. The projected timeline suggests that it will be operational by late 2025.
As per BLM's press release, this announcement initiates a 30-day scoping period during which BLM will invite and review comments to inform its environmental assessment of the project. The comment period concludes on January 18th, 2024. A public meeting is scheduled for January 8th, 2024 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Lake Tamarisk Golf Course Clubhouse (the CSA Hall), located at 26251 Parkview Drive in Desert Center. Additionally, a virtual public meeting via Zoom is planned for January 9th, 2024 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Written comments can be submitted through the "Participate Now" function at the BLM National NEPA Register or via email at blm_ca_pssc_sapphire@blm.gov. Alternatively, they can be delivered to Palm Springs—South Coast Field Office (Attn: Sapphire Project) located at 1201 Bird Center Drive in Palm Springs, CA 92262.