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New solar plant for California desert gains federal approval

Posted at 2:31 PM, May 03, 2021
and last updated 2021-05-03 17:31:59-04

BLYTHE, Calif. (AP) — The Interior Department says the federal Bureau of Land Management has given final approval for a solar power plant on public lands in the southeastern California desert.

The Crimson Solar Project includes a 350-megawatt energy storage system and could supply enough power for 87,500 homes.

The approval comes amid President Joe Biden’s plans to fight climate change, with a goal of 100% renewable energy in the power sector by 2035.

The decision authorizes Sonoran West Solar Holdings LLC to build the $550 million plant on about 2,000 acres of BLM-administered lands about 13 miles west of the Riverside County community of Blythe.