Energy independence is a national priority and the public is looking to the Bureau of Land Management to help with renewable energy - solar, wind, and geothermal, as well as oil and gas. Balancing these uses with environmental protection is BLM's challenge.
California is at the "epicenter" of this nation's energy challenges and opportunities. With a population of 38 million, it consumes more energy than any State except Texas. Conversely, although its population has doubled over the last three decades, its total electricity consumption has remained level, due to conservation policies.
California consumes more energy than any State except Texas
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More energy will be needed to drive the State's economic engines - the eighth largest economy in the world. The public lands administered by BLM will continue to play a critical role.California's energy comes from a variety of sources. According the Department of Energy, oil and gas is the largest source (61%), followed by nuclear (16%), renewable energy (about 12%), hydroelectric (8%), coal (1%), and other (2%). More capacity is needed to make California more energy self-sufficient and more renewable sources are needed to address climate change.
Both President Barack Obama and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger have set high targets for renewable production. The President calls for doubling renewable energy production in three years. The Governor has set a 33% target for California's utilities to generate electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar signed an order in March 2009 making renewable energy production a top priority for the Department and BLM. In June 2009, he announced Solar Energy Study Areas on public lands that will be analyzed through a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for large-scale production of renewable energy, including four in California, covering 351,000 acres.
California is poised and ready to be a national leader in this effort, through the State's own Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative (RETI). Together, BLM and the State of California have a strong partnership and are working cooperatively to expedite transition to a renewable energy future, while still protecting sensitive landscapes and resources.
California Renewable Energy Action Team Memorandum of Understanding - November 2008
MOU between the California Department of Fish and Game, The California Energy Commission, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Fish and wildlife Service regarding the establishment of the California Renewable Energy Action Team (pdf)
Governor Schwarzenegger Advances State’s Renewable Energy Development
Signs Executive Order to raise California's renewable energy goals to 33 percent by 2020; clears red tape for renewable projects.
Helping to Meet California's Energy Needs
BLM publication, 2008 (pdf)
Milestones to Permit California Renewable Portfolio Standard Energy Projects by December 2010
Produced by the Renewable Energy Action Team, these milestones apply to the most common RPS renewable energy project permitting scenarios for REAT Agencies.
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