Ormat receives expedited approval for Pearl Geothermal Development Project in Nevada
Ubehebe Crater, Esmeralda, Nevada (source: flickr/ Bill Ward, creative commons)
Carlo Cariaga
25 Jun 2026
BLM has approved the environmental review of the Pearl geothermal project of Ormat Nevada in Esmeralda County, benefitting from the expedited review process.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has authorized the Pearl Geothermal Development Project of Ormat Nevada Inc., located in BLM-managed public lands in Esmeralda County, Nevada. The project benefits from the expedited 14-day environmental review process announced back in April 2025 as part of the Trump Administration’s Energy Emergency policy. The project proposes up to 60 MW of geothermal power generation capacity, which is equivalent to the power demand of about 50,000 homes.
With the environmental assessment now completed, the BLM is working with Ormat Nevada to finalize the authorizing permits for the project. Once issued, Ormat may begin on-site construction and civil works. The proposed project includes the construction and operation of two 30 MW power plants with air-cooled condensers, drilling of production and injection wells, construction of access roads, geothermal fluid pipelines, ancillary support facilities, and a 29-mile, 120-kV electrical transmission line. A right-of-way is required for the transmission line, for which a separate Plan of Development have already been submitted and reviewed by the BLM.
Related documents provide further detail on the drilling plan for the Pearl geothermal project. Ormat Nevada is proposing the construction of 10 new wells pad, on top of 17 previously authorized well pads. The total number of production and reinjection wells to be drilled would depend on the productivity of the wells.
Ormat Nevada has so far received approval for several geothermal projects under the emergency permitting procedures of the United States Department of the Interior. These include the 30-MW Crescent Valley project, the Diamond Flat project, and the Pinto project.
Source: Bureau of Land Management
