In 2024 and 2025, a renewable energy developer hired Barr to provide environmental planning and permitting services for a proposed solar-generation and battery-storage project in New Mexico. The 350 MW photovoltaic solar and 350 MW battery energy-storage project encompassed approximately 4,000 acres of tribal, state, and private lands.
Barr conducted natural resources investigations, compiled resource baseline reports, and drafted the project’s plan of development and environmental assessment (EA) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. The EA was tiered to the Bureau of Land Management’s 2024 Western Solar Plan.
As part of preparing the plan of development, we also prepared plans for decommissioning, reclamation and weed management, health and safety, and management of hazardous materials and waste. Our project team coordinated with an American Indian tribe, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the New Mexico State Lands Office, and the local county planning department.
Field studies included evaluations of aquatic resources and surveys for raptors and migratory birds; wildlife; vegetation; federally listed, sensitive, and invasive species; and cultural resources.
Early in the project planning process, Barr prepared a Phase I environmental site assessment, a permit matrix, and a critical-issues analysis. We also prepared applications for geotechnical investigation permits, obtained documentation of project Clean Water Act compliance, conducted public outreach, and performed environmental compliance monitoring during project construction.
The project is slated to come online in early 2027.
