A cumulative impact is the impact on the environment that results from the incremental impacts of an action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions, regardless of what agency (federal or non-federal) or person undertakes such other actions. Cumulative impacts can result from individually minor but collectively significant actions taking place over a period of time. Because utility-scale solar projects have wide-reaching transmission potentials, reasonably foreseeable actions that would add to cumulative impacts with the proposed Project include potential development of solar power facilities in the Western Slope region of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration website, Colorado has substantial solar resources, especially in the south near the New Mexico border (U.S. Energy Information Agency, 2023).  To date, there are five utility-scale solar projects (totaling 1,555 MW) in the preconstruction or permitting stages in the Four Corners region. There are seven utility-scale solar Projects (totaling 1,630 MW) recently announced, in the Four Corners region. (Global Energy Monitor. 2023) Table 4-1 provides information regarding reasonably foreseeable future solar Projects within the region. Along with the potential for additional utility-scale solar development, the potential exists for additional electric transmission lines to be built to tie into the existing power grid.

Continued development of utility-scale solar facilities and electric lines would contribute to incremental impacts on existing resources, as discussed in Chapter 3 in this EA. Short-term adverse impacts associated with construction of solar technology would affect air quality due to increases in particulate matter related to soil disturbance, water quality from surface runoff, noise related to construction, and recreation due to limited access. Long-term adverse effects would occur to the social structure and culture of the town of Norwood, to wildlife, migratory birds, bald and golden eagles, from the long-term conversion to industrial land use. Incremental impacts on resources such as soils, groundwater, and herbaceous vegetation could also occur as a result of increased impervious surfaces and loss of vegetation. Adverse impacts to visual resources would also occur as natural landscape features are converted to industrial land use. Long-term beneficial impacts to regional air quality and GHG would be expected as the net emissions of GHG due to electricity generation are reduced. Short-term benefits to regional economies would be expected as job opportunities increase during the construction phase of the solar Projects.

Table 4-1: Reasonably Foreseeable Future Utility-Scale Solar Development Projects in the Region (U.S. Energy Information Agency, 2023)