Draft environmental impact statement for the White Pine energy station project

This Draft EIS evaluates the environmental effects that would result from constructing, operating, and maintaining the proposed White Pine Energy Station electric power generating plant. This approximately 1,590-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant and associated features would be located on public lands in White Pine County, eastern Nevada, that are presently managed by the Ely District Office of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The Proposed Action and Alternative 1 include the following project actions and features: issue Rights-of-Way for White Pine Energy Station construction and operation and subsequently arrange for the sale of the power plant site to White Pine Energy Associates, LLC; construct, operate, and maintain an approximately 1,590-MW (maximum) coal-fired electric power generating plant using a hybrid cooling system that has an expected commercial life of 40 years or longer; develop a wellfield in the Steptoe Valley Hydrographic Basin to meet the water needs of the power plant; construct a new rail spur from the Nevada Northern Railway to the power plant site to supply coal; develop the linear infrastructure necessary to connect the power plant to the new water source, to existing electric transmission lines serving the region, and to provide site access; construct and operate an off-site mineral material sale area to supply earth and rock for project construction; implement a seeding project to enhance the grazing and wildlife value of 700 to 900 acres; and implement best management practices and mitigation measures during construction, operation, and maintenance of the White Pine Energy Station to avoid or prevent the occurrence of impacts and, where possible, to minimize the magnitude, extent, and duration of those impacts when their occurrence cannot be prevented.