(The Center Square) – Federal regulators have provided early approval of a hydropower megaproject in Nevada, despite local government officials’ opposition.
The proposed Desert Bloom Project, which is a dam system, would reportedly generate power for around 110,000 Nevada homes. The dam would also use a vast amount of water, which has led some to oppose the move.
“Southern Nevada has invested decades of work into reducing water use and stretching limited Colorado River resources,” said Bronson Mack, Southern Nevada Water Authority spokesperson, answering The Center Square’s question by email. “A project that will consume approximately 10,000 acre‑feet (about 3 billion gallons) of water simply does not align with Southern Nevada’s conservation goals. The priority is safeguarding community water supplies through efficient water use — not expanding large-scale water consumption.”…