BLM briefs Yerington council on nearby renewable projects and data‑center applications as residents raise water and tribal concerns

Acting Bureau of Land Management District Manager Matt Magaletti updated the Yerington City Council on federal land activity near Mason Valley on May 26, saying the agency has received multiple applications for renewable and energy projects and is reviewing them under federal permitting.

Magaletti told the council there are about 26 geothermal lease sales held annually and referenced Mason Valley Geothermal and a separate Mason Valley Solar application. He said the Libra Solar and Mason Valley Solar proposals each cover roughly 2,800 acres and that federal authorization and multiple permits are required before on‑the‑ground work can begin. Magaletti also said the Pine Nut Battery Energy Storage System proposal, about 12 miles from Yerington, is expected to produce roughly 200 megawatts if approved.

On data centers, Magaletti said BLM has received four applications for data centers sited south of local industrial parks and that agency staff are reviewing water‑source and public‑use impacts as part of the permit review. He described an ongoing process and urged public engagement through the formal comment channels.

Multiple residents used the public comment period to press specific concerns: Colleen Springer said she believed necessary testing on water and animal welfare had not been completed for the proposed facilities; Leah Wilkinson asked the council to press the BLM to prioritize protection of areas important for Indigenous pine‑nut harvesting and cultural uses; Robbin Biggs asked about transparency on Libra Solar and how to register concerns. Magaletti and staff emphasized that federal review and tribal consultation processes apply and that public materials are posted through BLM public‑notice systems.

The council did not take action on permit decisions; the BLM presentation was informational and residents were directed to agency contact points for ongoing questions.