BLM Requests Public Input by September 19 on Gerlach-Rt 34 Geothermal

[some seeing eye]

Ormat, which has several geothermal plants in Nevada, has turned its interests to Gerlach NV right next to land the BMOrg would like to develop itself. They are requesting to drill wells in preparation for building a power plant

It was discussed on ePlaya: viewtopic.php?f=56&t=109977&p=1213189&h ... l#p1213189.

The Burning Man Organization, residents of Gerlach, and Friends of Black Rock High Rock requested an Environmental Impact Statement [EIS]. Burning Man had to do an expensive and long one for BRC.

In its infinite wisdom, the BLM dropped the draft EIS for a brief comment period August 20-September 29, 2022. Aside from their previous public comment period around Christmas, this is the worst possible time for input from our community.

The Draft EIS is https://eplanning.blm.gov/public_projec ... ct_508.pdf

Once I read it, I may add a followup post and you can read it here. It would be ideal if our public input to the BLM supports whatever Burning Man Organization, residents of Gerlach, and Friends of Black Rock High Rock come up with!

From the BLM:


Dear Interested Party,

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Winnemucca District, Black Rock Field Office is seeking public comment on the draft Environmental Assessment analyzing a geothermal resource confirmation operations plan (OP) proposed by Ormat Technologies Inc. (Ormat). The Gerlach Geothermal Exploration Project proposed by Ormat is located less than one mile north of Gerlach, Nevada. A 30-day scoping period to solicit public input was initiated December 10, 2021.

As part of the proposed geothermal resource confirmation project, the BLM is analyzing the environmental effects of up to 21 total geothermal exploration wells, approximately 3 miles of new or improved access roads, and a new aggregate pit. Each well pad would be approximately 2.1 acres. The BLM is analyzing a total proposed surface disturbance from the project of up to 53.8 acres.

The BLM is fulfilling its obligations for consultation under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), as implemented in the 36 CFR 800.8(c) regulations, through the NEPA process. If you feel this project will cause adverse impacts to historic properties and wish to consult with the BLM, please contact the BLM as directed below.

Comments may be submitted by September 19, 2022, by mail to Ms. Tai Subia, project lead, at the above address or by e-mail at [email protected] with “Gerlach Geothermal (Subia)” in the subject line. Project documents can be viewed on the ePlanning site at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/ ... 016744/510, Comments can also be submitted through the website by clicking the green “Participate Now” button.

Public comments submitted for this project, including names and addresses of commenters will be available for public review at the BLM Winnemucca District Office during regular business hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment -- including personal identifying information -- may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Thank you for your interest in this project,
-BRFO and WDO Geothermal ID Team

[Token]

So you’re saying those EV chargers could become a thing for the event?

If they throw in light rail to Rod’s Road, I say go for it.

[Molotov]

If Elon brings a Cybertruck to the playa, he will need a place to charge it. Oh, never mind, if he comes, he bring his own charging infrastructure with him.

[Token]

He did bring the roadster in 07 …

So … yeah.

Dude is a legend.

First human to die on Mars. Could do way worse than that!

[some seeing eye]

At a high level, since this project has momentum, my personal theory is that geothermal should pave 34 3 lanes wide from 3 Mile (ideally 12 Mile) into Gerlach with a 10 foot breakdown lane on both sides, should run redundant fiber Internet into Gerlach, set up a nonprofit public Internet utility, and subsidize their connection, and keep the entire outside of the facility dark except when doing night time maintenance. There is a serious issue of them draining the Burning Man thermal properties in Gerlach, the impact on Fly Ranch, and the, I believe, flammable heat transfer fluid.

Widening 34 would really benefit an emergency evacuation. Traffic could flow both North and South on 447.

This plant is very small, I think 50MW and they are planning an additional 40MW in Empire. More later.

[Token]

Is this the angle that everyone local takes? Try to resist as much as possible to get freebies thrown into the deal or are there legit concerns?

I can see folks who enjoy the solitude lifestyle having misgivings on this but the BORG? Right up their alley ever since they jumped on the Green Man thing in 2007.

Other than environmental issues that can be worked out, sure sounds like a lot of bitterness on having an EIS forced on the BORG so now the norm is some kind of vendetta and NIMBY-ism on principle alone.

Please educate me.

[some seeing eye]

The benefits to Gerlach that might be negotiated are entirely my proposal and not the BORG.

The BLM just approved the drilling plan (not the plant, yet!) without a full EIS. They added some hydrological monitoring. The BORG has very qualified attorneys.

"10/21/2022

The Final Environmental Assessment, Decision Record, and Finding of No Significant Impacts are now available to the public on ePlanning"

https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/ ... 016744/510

[Token]

I’m pleased with the BLM decision.

Let them figure out if this is viable, and if it is, then fight for whatever vendetta is needed for poor Maid Marion.

All in on green energy. Fuck the desert tortoise.

[some seeing eye]

The BORG bought the old Gerlach geothermal public pool. It is adjacent to the drilling/future plant.

[Token]

The BORG bought the old Gerlach geothermal public pool. It is adjacent to the drilling/future plant.

So where is the big sterling engine making the electrons dance on a wire?

Yeah, good on the BORG for buying up the place as they begged for two years …

[ygmir]

The BORG bought the old Gerlach geothermal public pool. It is adjacent to the drilling/future plant.

So where is the big sterling engine making the electrons dance on a wire?

Yeah, good on the BORG for buying up the place as they begged for two years …

this^^

[some seeing eye]

Personally, I think the BORG could facilitate geothermal district heating in Gerlach, at the EsalenxRanch, and produce commercial or self-used geothermal electricity. They have to do it in their own environmentally considered way. Personally I trust them to do the right thing, in a, slow for critics, process.

[ranger magnum]

Since when did BMP become geothermal plant experts? Seems like their biggest concern is the 360 property, as it’s mentioned 5 times throughout their letter.

Here are direct quotes from BMP:

“Rural Economy. The Operating Plan does not reflect any specific economic benefits to the Town of Gerlach and the surrounding region. Rather, it appears that the benefits will be minimal and possibly counterproductive.“

How could it possibly minimal? The plant will have people staffed 24/7. People need stuff. People need food. People need entertainment. So unless they are on lockdown, the employees will head to Gerlach for these things.

“For example, should the hot springs located on Burning Man’s property cease functioning, the commercial investment to develop the property would be thwarted.”

Commercially developed? I call bullshit. BMP was never going to allow the public access to their hot springs. Again, BMP’s biggest concerns are their own interests

“Dark Skies. In an era of ever increasing urbanization and development, Dark Skies are becoming a rapidly diminishing resource. This has led to an exponential growth in the awareness of the values of preserving Dark Skylandscapes and in the growth of Astro Tourism. Currently, Gerlach is a gateway community to the Dark Sky resources of the Black Rock High Rock NCA and the Massacre Rim WSA/ Dark Sky Sanctuary. This area is a popular viewing spot for people to view meteor showers, including the Perseids in August, and the Leonids in November.”

But we can do it for 10 days each year

“Transportation Analysis. Burning Man Project is well aware of the potential impacts to local roads from increased traffic, as we perform detailed traffic analyses for BLM through our own EIS process. Increased traffic of heavy vehicles on State Route 447 could lead to an increased deterioration of the road surface. Thus, Ormat should be required to provide data and consult with the Washoe County Roads Department to determine if the roadway rating and the Roads Department’s maintenance schedule are adequate for the specific transportation needs of the Project.“

As if the 3 months of constant heavy use by the event doesn’t? Or the gypsum plant in Empire? Granted construction of the plant will require trucks, though once completed there would be no more heavy load traffic.

And this line of bullshit direct from the journal:

“If you drive to Black Rock City, recreate in the Black Rock Desert, or visit the National Conservation Area, you go through Gerlach, the quaint little town at the end of the grid and the beginning of the wilderness. It’s truly one of the last outposts of small-town community living. An industrial geothermal facility less than a mile away would change the character of Gerlach forever. Small towns like Gerlach are disappearing all over the country, and in order to retain this spirit, measures must be taken to ensure folks in these areas can continue to live harmoniously in their chosen environment.”

But it’s ok for BMP to entirely and thoroughly disrupt Gerlach 3 months out of the year for their event? I suppose it is because BMP owns a fair chunk of Gerlach now. BMP took over Gerlach, and now doesn’t want any other entity threatening “their” town.

BMP has got to stop with the carbon neutral/green/renewable rhetoric. The amount of energy used for this event is staggering. I worked for the BMP, and know firsthand how the event consumes resources. And I’m not even talking about the burning of the man/temple and all the other burns. There isn’t a fucking thing about this event that’s green, renewable, or environmentally friendly. To read about their environment concerns is an insult.

The takeaway from all of this is “we need renewable energy, jut not in our backyard”

BMP, stick to what you know, and that’s throwing the best fucking party on earth. Because really that’s all it is. Thinking it’s some world wide movement is just your ego running wild.

[ygmir]

Since when did BMP become geothermal plant experts? Seems like their biggest concern is the 360 property, as it’s mentioned 5 times throughout their letter.

Here are direct quotes from BMP:

“Rural Economy. The Operating Plan does not reflect any specific economic benefits to the Town of Gerlach and the surrounding region. Rather, it appears that the benefits will be minimal and possibly counterproductive.“

How could it possibly minimal? The plant will have people staffed 24/7. People need stuff. People need food. People need entertainment. So unless they are on lockdown, the employees will head to Gerlach for these things.

“For example, should the hot springs located on Burning Man’s property cease functioning, the commercial investment to develop the property would be thwarted.”

Commercially developed? I call bullshit. BMP was never going to allow the public access to their hot springs. Again, BMP’s biggest concerns are their own interests

“Dark Skies. In an era of ever increasing urbanization and development, Dark Skies are becoming a rapidly diminishing resource. This has led to an exponential growth in the awareness of the values of preserving Dark Skylandscapes and in the growth of Astro Tourism. Currently, Gerlach is a gateway community to the Dark Sky resources of the Black Rock High Rock NCA and the Massacre Rim WSA/ Dark Sky Sanctuary. This area is a popular viewing spot for people to view meteor showers, including the Perseids in August, and the Leonids in November.”

But we can do it for 10 days each year

“Transportation Analysis. Burning Man Project is well aware of the potential impacts to local roads from increased traffic, as we perform detailed traffic analyses for BLM through our own EIS process. Increased traffic of heavy vehicles on State Route 447 could lead to an increased deterioration of the road surface. Thus, Ormat should be required to provide data and consult with the Washoe County Roads Department to determine if the roadway rating and the Roads Department’s maintenance schedule are adequate for the specific transportation needs of the Project.“

As if the 3 months of constant heavy use by the event doesn’t? Or the gypsum plant in Empire? Granted construction of the plant will require trucks, though once completed there would be no more heavy load traffic.

And this line of bullshit direct from the journal:

“If you drive to Black Rock City, recreate in the Black Rock Desert, or visit the National Conservation Area, you go through Gerlach, the quaint little town at the end of the grid and the beginning of the wilderness. It’s truly one of the last outposts of small-town community living. An industrial geothermal facility less than a mile away would change the character of Gerlach forever. Small towns like Gerlach are disappearing all over the country, and in order to retain this spirit, measures must be taken to ensure folks in these areas can continue to live harmoniously in their chosen environment.”

But it’s ok for BMP to entirely and thoroughly disrupt Gerlach 3 months out of the year for their event? I suppose it is because BMP owns a fair chunk of Gerlach now. BMP took over Gerlach, and now doesn’t want any other entity threatening “their” town.

BMP has got to stop with the carbon neutral/green/renewable rhetoric. The amount of energy used for this event is staggering. I worked for the BMP, and know firsthand how the event consumes resources. And I’m not even talking about the burning of the man/temple and all the other burns. There isn’t a fucking thing about this event that’s green, renewable, or environmentally friendly. To read about their environment concerns is an insult.

The takeaway from all of this is “we need renewable energy, jut not in our backyard”

BMP, stick to what you know, and that’s throwing the best fucking party on earth. Because really that’s all it is. Thinking it’s some world wide movement is just your ego running wild.

perfectly said. bravo.

[Elorrum]

I sniff the boutique entitlement Burning Man may feel to a town that could benefit from a better tax base and services. It matters what the residents feel about it. How do they really experience being quaint small community last outpost on the wilderness life? Is it more a marginalized group of retirees trying to figure who will drive them hours to medical care when they need it? It’s their town, not just a staging area for a rave in the desert.

[some seeing eye]

The BLM ignored the concerns of Gerlach residents, Friends of Black Rock High Rock, and the Burning Man organization.

A suit has been engaged in federal court to demand an Environmental Impact Statement [EIS] study before drilling which was asked before and denied by the BLM.

An Environmental Impact Statement was required by the BLM for the Burning Man BRC permit renewal. It is the law.

There will be many new articles in the press and framing pro and con. The press works on pageviews to get advertising, so any mention of Burning Man generates pageviews - search engine journalism.

The suit is 3:23-cv-00013-CSD filed January 9, 2023, in the Federal District Court in Reno, for law geeks.

I am not part of the BMORG, I don't speak for them. This is just reporting public facts.

[Token]

The BLM ignored the concerns of Gerlach residents, Friends of Black Rock High Rock, and the Burning Man organization.

Oh, cmmon my man, you know good well the BLM carefully and diligently reviewed all the comments from local residents and the BORG before deciding it was fluff.

That’s a bit of bias right there my friend.

Let me see quick here how the scales balance…

On one hand we have a $5 Billion international conglomerate headquartered in Reno NV that wants to do the ever popular Green Energy thing and drill baby drill (jobs)

Vs.

Aging debutante Raver Bunny and her Glitterati squad that are a pain in everyone’s ass from Reno to Salt Lake City …

… just so the Canadian geese migrating over the Playa don’t get confused by the bright lights like they did at Crude Awakening in 07?

Culture … it just ain’t worth what it used to be back in the day …

[lucky420]

It doesn’t sound like the people of Gerlach want this either

[some seeing eye]

From memory, I think NV mining law is very pro-mining, and geothermal is considered mining. So if I dig a well right next to your hot spring, you are SOL because it is under my land. Someone can check on that.

If you look at other Ormat sites, they can run the pipes on the surface a ways. So maybe they can tuck the plant on BLM Land around Granite Point along 447N, and put up a sound reflecting wall on the Gerlach side, and turn out the lights?

It would be logical for Ormat to push North to drill by Fly Geyser.

To Mr Token, the good old days were when Harry Reid had Burner-friendly appointments to the BLM. Now based on behavior, it doesn't sound like the BLM likes BRC. We really need to get friendly DOI upper management that would sell Hualapai Flat to the BMORG so we can have our rave on private land (still in Pershing who also hate us) - maybe we need to recruit burner grandkids of DC leadership.

I don't think the BLM makes that much money off geothermal. It is a capital finance game for the private developer with a long gravy train of electricity sales. I believe there is a couple buck a year an acre lease fee, and then a small royalty on electricity sales with state and local-county? split. But you are right the local BLM management probably gets more brownie points from geothermal and grazing than recreational. Of course we could have public nonprofit geothermal developers like the Army Corps of Engineers.

If they build the wells, we are going to have these pipes along 34 and around the Y. So maybe Ormat will commission burner art to decorate them?

Screen Shot 2023-01-18 at 8.38.13 AM.png

[Elorrum]

https://sageandsand.substack.com/p/sage ... KexXlHfI2g
“Many news outlets and newsletter writers seemed to have fun at Burning Man’s expense last week. Interestingly, they seemed to go for the jugular on the “lefties fighting renewable energy” narrative way quicker than they do with, for instance, the Center for Biological Diversity. Are we more likeable than the Silicon Valley billionaires incorrectly perceived to be Burning Man’s primary clientele?”

[some seeing eye]

Letter: Setting the record straight on Ormat, BLM

https://thisisreno.com/2023/01/letter-s ... ormat-blm/

[Token]

I get it now!

The thermal plant will create a massive temperature gradient across the hot water field, make a ‘cold spot’ under Gerlach, causing the whole top layer to subside and sink, flooding the town annually and destroying all the foundations!

They should make a movie.

Don’t buy any more real estate in Gerlach folks … it’s gonna be a wasteland!

[ygmir]

Token: well said.
And to be fair the "lefties fighting renewable energy" are pretty easy targets. The set the ball on a tee so it's easier to hit.

[some seeing eye]

If "everything is going to be fine, nothing to worry about," an EIS is the ultimate vehicle! Personally, I doubt the ground will sink, but I'm not a geologist.

Could Gerlach cease to exist as a town with year around residents? Personally, highly likely. Can BRC exist without Gerlach?

The proposed plant is 48MW. In my area, people are proposing tearing down 4,000MW of carbon free hydro generation. The Western grid needs 168,000MW peak generation. Western offshore wind adds are estimated to be around 4,000MW net. Nevada is prime solar land too.

48MW is a nit.

The plant if built sells energy into the California managed Western grid market.

http://www.caiso.com/TodaysOutlook/Pages/prices.html

The California market design is very peaky. You can look at

http://www.energyonline.com/Data/Generi ... ?DataId=20 set your begin and end dates and refresh.

So the plant sells into the peak, and NV Energy has to buy at peak to sell the energy to Gerlach residents. NV Energy looks back at the prices paid, then raises rates to cover past year under pricing.

[Token]

So the plant sells into the peak, and NV Energy has to buy at peak to sell the energy to Gerlach residents. NV Energy looks back at the prices paid, then raises rates to cover past year under pricing.

Oh please, Gerlach bitched, moaned and cried bloody murder when Black Rock Solar did a small solar grid for the school … For Free!!!

BRS would have electrified them fully like they did for hundreds of installations before they closed shop.

I have zero sympathy for that town.

As for peak rates and the ole greenback - welcome to the official religion of the great Murica … free market economy. A scheme that guarantees someone gets fucked. And now in the recent decades that got upgraded to ‘most get fucked’.

Deregulation is a bitch.

[some seeing eye]

Oh please, Gerlach bitched, moaned and cried bloody murder when Black Rock Solar did a small solar grid for the school … For Free!!!

BRS would have electrified them fully like they did for hundreds of installations before they closed shop.

I have zero sympathy for that town.

As for peak rates and the ole greenback - welcome to the official religion of the great Murica … free market economy. A scheme that guarantees someone gets fucked. And now in the recent decades that got upgraded to ‘most get fucked’.

Deregulation is a bitch.

I did not know BRS was blocked in Gerlach. I hope this situation stimulates the Gerlach residents to agree on a vision of where they are going and how to get there.

There is active discussion in the EU, and some rumblings in the US on electricity market redesign. Of course stupid Texas wants to keep their 5 minute electricity perfect market.

Texas also has retail choice, I think is dumb - a solution in search of a problem. Retail choice for electricity is similar to choice in cell phone plans if readers are unfamiliar. You can switch cell phone carriers to get a better introductory deal. About 10% of Texans switch each year because they are poor and those savings matter in their budget.

Some states have community choice. So say your town is part of giant PG&E. And you think PG&E is sourcing too much coal energy and you want more solar. Some states allow those community choice programs. That they are necessary is a failure of PG&E to offer different tariffs. In our area the local for profit utility has a slightly higher rate plan you can voluntarily sign up for for more green generation sourcing. They have the highest participation rate in the program of any utility offering it in the country.

France is bigger on unions than the US. Their largest union coalition is making a pretty wild populist proposal:

‘Robin Hood’ energy strikers [claim to] give free power to French schools, hospitals, low-income homes

https://www.france24.com/en/europe/2023 ... come-homes

[Token]

EU does generally get it right on essentials for life, granted they go about it in the absolute worst way possible with bloat and inefficiency.

There are some aspects of existence where free market dogma just doesn’t work.

Basic utilities are one of them. Power, water.

Our chapter of “living in interesting times” is just beginning. Especially on the West Coast.

[Elorrum]

“Everything can be funny until it happens to you.”

I was surfing streaming comedian shows the other day and this stuck with me. Dave Chapelle.

The people who live in Gerlach want a more thorough study of how this project will impact their properties, and their water. Groups invested in the ecology of the area, and the use of public lands there, want the real impact to the large area to be well studied. https://www.nevadawilderness.org/ill_co ... ild_washoe That should be done, according to the law that is called a protection act.

The self licking ice cream cone of Government studies being done by industry to benefit industry is dismissive of all the life and natural features that inhabit the place. This is a federal issue, but as a barometer of the general will of the State, Nevada’s Commission on Mineral Resources which serves as an advisory to the governor and the legislature is comprised of industry members, and chaired by Josh Nordquist the Director of Resource Operations for Ormat Technologies, Inc. https://minerals.nv.gov/Commission/

To dismiss the rights and concerns of people who lived on top of coal seams, and then were employed in dangerous conditions, to make them seem frivolous and ridiculous, subhuman even, they were portrayed as ignorant, possibly incestuous, barefoot yokels who couldn’t maintain two straps on a pair of overalls, or even keep their teeth in cartoon depictions, and they were called hillbillies. The sensation of the name Burning Man attached to the plaintiffs is mined for the image it conjures in people’s minds. The industry is expert at getting what they want. News reporters feel obligated to mention drum circle rituals, and dancing. Asking why they would oppose green energy is another media spin to deflect the suit for a thorough impact report, and possibly a reduced, less “let ‘er rip” scale of exploration. If there will be benefits to balance any negative impacts, then Ormat needs to be honest about them also. A press release said jobs, and then a public meeting in Gerlach said, no, not really.

Ormat is already staging trucks and equipment outside Getlach as if all is go, and I think the whole area deserves a better deal if steps were skipped.

[lucky420]

“Everything can be funny until it happens to you.”

I was surfing streaming comedian shows the other day and this stuck with me. Dave Chapelle.

The people who live in Gerlach want a more thorough study of how this project will impact their properties, and their water. Groups invested in the ecology of the area, and the use of public lands there, want the real impact to the large area to be well studied. https://www.nevadawilderness.org/ill_co ... ild_washoe That should be done, according to the law that is called a protection act.

The self licking ice cream cone of Government studies being done by industry to benefit industry is dismissive of all the life and natural features that inhabit the place. This is a federal issue, but as a barometer of the general will of the State, Nevada’s Commission on Mineral Resources which serves as an advisory to the governor and the legislature is comprised of industry members, and chaired by Josh Nordquist the Director of Resource Operations for Ormat Technologies, Inc. https://minerals.nv.gov/Commission/

To dismiss the rights and concerns of people who lived on top of coal seams, and then were employed in dangerous conditions, to make them seem frivolous and ridiculous, subhuman even, they were portrayed as ignorant, possibly incestuous, barefoot yokels who couldn’t maintain two straps on a pair of overalls, or even keep their teeth in cartoon depictions, and they were called hillbillies. The sensation of the name Burning Man attached to the plaintiffs is mined for the image it conjures in people’s minds. The industry is expert at getting what they want. News reporters feel obligated to mention drum circle rituals, and dancing. Asking why they would oppose green energy is another media spin to deflect the suit for a thorough impact report, and possibly a reduced, less “let ‘er rip” scale of exploration. If there will be benefits to balance any negative impacts, then Ormat needs to be honest about them also. A press release said jobs, and then a public meeting in Gerlach said, no, not really.

Ormat is already staging trucks and equipment outside Getlach as if all is go, and I think the whole area deserves a better deal if steps were skipped.

+1000

[some seeing eye]

Geothermal driller comes for the toads in Dixie Valley, NV

Claims they do not exist.

https://www.rgj.com/story/tech/environm ... 047037007/