Featured Projects - Energy

Energy

Far Western’s experience with federal and state cultural resource law compliance for geothermal energy developments dates to 1986, when we began supporting California Energy Company, Inc. (CalEnergy), in their efforts to develop the Coso Known Geothermal Resources Area (KGRA). Because the KGRA is situated on lands leased from Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and managed jointly by China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station and BLM, the project required a firm grasp of agency-specific guidelines and management procedures. The project also required a sophisticated understanding of the archaeological record as the KGRA contains a prehistoric National Register of Historic Places Archaeological District comprised of some 549 archaeological sites within a 69-square-mile area. Working with Cal Energy to avoid sites and minimize disturbances during the planning stages, Far Western carried out surveys, excavations, and construction monitoring as the project progressed. Over the years, Far Western successfully guided appropriate consultations between the Navy, BLM, the California Office of Historic Preservation, and the Advisory Council as the geothermal project evolved from planning through exploration, then development stages.

Our Desert Branch has been heavily involved in recent energy projects in and around Las Vegas.  Notable work includes surveys of the 250-mile One Nevada transmission line (ON Line) and Ely Energy Center power plant for NV Energy.  The ON Line route extends from Ely to Las Vegas as part of a plan to connect northern and southern Nevada power grids.  Recent inventories for solar projects in the Mojave Desert also attest to our involvement in the expanding alternative energy industry.