U.S. DOE Contemplating Bodo Canyon for Installing Solar Project

The U.S. DOE (Department of Energy) has been contemplating about the location of Bodo Canyon as a potential site for installing a solar project. Therefore, the DOE is seeking public comments on this proposal for placing solar photovoltaic collectors in the vicinity of a disposal site meant for radioactive tailings that have been buried in the Bodo Canyon.

The DOE is thus seeking opinion on its initial study for gauging the environmental impacts that may arise as a result of installing solar photovoltaic arrays either atop or near the buried radioactive tailings prevailing in Bodo Canyon. This draft environmental assessment is evaluating whether to build or not to build the solar system in the vicinity of the radioactive materials.

DOE officials are envisioning a solar photovoltaic system with a power capacity of 4.5 MW, enough electricity for powering about 300 average homes.  The La Plata Electric Association could be the owner-operator of this solar project. The disposal site in Bodo Canyon is located at a distance of 3.5 miles in the southwest direction of Durango while covering an area of 120 acres. Since radioactivity is a sensitive topic involving public concern, the DOE has ordered for an environmental assessment on this solar photovoltaic project.