BLM accepting nominations for geothermal development in Idaho
BOISE, Idaho – The Bureau of Land Management is accepting nominations of Idaho public lands for competitive geothermal leasing for the geothermal lease sale tentatively scheduled for October 2026. All nominations must be received by Oct. 1, 2025. Nominations received after this deadline will be processed for a future lease sale.
Geothermal energy is a renewable resource that generates baseload electricity with minimal carbon emissions. It is an abundant resource, especially in the West, where the BLM has authority to manage geothermal resource leasing, exploration, and development on approximately 245 million surface acres of public lands and the 700 million acres where the United States owns the subsurface mineral estate.
Nominations are not automatically placed for sale when received, and the BLM cannot guarantee that the nominated lands will be included. The parcels must be reviewed for availability as well as natural resource and cultural concerns prior to being made available for sale. Each nomination must be submitted with a nonrefundable filing fee of $145 plus $0.14 per acre of land nominated.
Land nominations must be submitted via Form 3203-1. Any future sale notice offering nominated parcels, as well as any sale results, will be posted on the BLM Idaho Geothermal Energy website. Please refer to 43 CFR 3203 for nomination requirements regarding maximum acreage, acceptable land descriptions, and nominating parcels as a block.
Leasing is the first step in the process to develop federal geothermal resources. The BLM ensures geothermal development meets the requirements set forth by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and other applicable legal authorities.
Geothermal lease sales support domestic energy production and American energy independence, while contributing to the nation’s economic and military security. Consistent with Executive Order 14154, “Unleashing American Energy,” the BLM's geothermal lease sales help meet the energy needs of U.S. citizens, will solidify the nation as a global energy leader long into the future, and achieve American Energy Dominance.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.