Lawsuit Challenges Nevada Greenlink Transmission Line Project

Two Nevada conservation groups, Friends of Nevada Wilderness and Basin and Range Watch, have filed a federal lawsuit to stop construction of NV Energy's $4.2 billion Greenlink West transmission line, which would connect Las Vegas and Reno and facilitate large-scale solar development. The suit alleges federal agencies failed to fully assess environmental impacts, particularly regarding a proposed 62,000-acre solar farm in Esmeralda County and the route's passage through the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument. Conservationists contend that alternative routes avoiding sensitive areas were not properly considered and that the Environmental Impact Statement overlooked the combined effects of the transmission line and potential solar projects. They seek to vacate federal approvals and halt construction until agencies comply with environmental laws. NV Energy argues the project is essential for Nevada’s renewable energy goals and future demand, while conservationists warn of irreversible ecological and cultural harm. This is the first lawsuit ever filed by Friends of Nevada Wilderness in its 40-year history, underscoring the seriousness of their concerns.