Farmington, NM – The Desert Rock Energy Project's Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been released by the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs and recommends approval of the Preferred Alternative which includes the 1,500 MW Desert Rock project and associated rights of ways. The Desert Rock project is expected to provide much needed power to the Southwest, significant job opportunities and more than $50 million a year revenues to the Navajo Nation.

 

The public release was followed by a Notice of Availability that was published in the Federal Register June 22 and started the official 60-day comment period. Another 30 days has been added to the comment period giving individuals until October 9, 2007, to give comments. A round of public hearings were held July 17-25. Public meetings regarding the EIS were held in Window Rock-AZ, Burnham-NM, Sanostee-NM, Shiprock-NM, Farmington-NM, Nenahnezad-NM and two locations in Colorado: Durango and Cortez. Santa Fe and Albuquerque were added to the schedule.

 

After the public meetings end and the comment period closes, the Department of Interior will consider comments received from the public and issue a Final EIS and Record of Decision later this year.

 

For a link to the draft EIS, please the Desert Rock EIS web site at: www.desertrockenergy.com