First 100 days: BLM drives energy expansion and national strength

In its first 100 days under the new administration, the Bureau of Land Management took bold steps to deliver on the priorities of President Trump’s and Department of the Interior Secretary Burgum’s priorities for public lands. From advancing American energy independence to revitalizing industries and communities across the country, BLM’s actions are supporting national security, public safety, and providing more than $55 million in revenue from new energy leasing and timber sales. 

As America’s largest land manager, the BLM is responsible for more than 10% of the nation’s surface area and 30% of its mineral estate. As Department of the Interior’s largest and most complex fire program, BLM Fire is responsible for fire protection on approximately 650 million acres. Through the projects outlined below, the BLM highlights its focus on responsible resource management and economic growth, while continuing to conserve natural, cultural, and historical resources for current and future generations.  

Energy

The BLM supports the President’s and Interior Secretary’s orders to unleash American energy and address the national energy emergency by no longer pursuing lengthy analysis for oil and gas leasing decisions in seven states, and adopted two categorical exclusions to expedite geothermal permitting. The bureau advanced future potential mining and energy development in Utah through the Emery County Land Exchange, where the agency received 57 water rights, about 114,920 acres of surface and mineral estate, and approximately 1,121 acres of mineral only estate. The BLM also advanced energy development through:

• Coal: The BLM has responsibility for coal leasing on approximately 570 million acres. Currently, there are 273 federal coal leases on approximately 405,000 acres of public lands. Guided by President Trump’s Executive Order on coal, the bureau is restoring the coal industry through policy and regulatory reforms to ensure these acres remain open and accessible for development. The BLM and Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement approved expansion of the Spring Creek Mine in Montana and advanced proposed mining at Freedom Mine in North Dakota.
• Geothermal: The BLM generated more than $5.7 million by leasing 14 parcels totaling 50,961 acres and approved the 20-megawatt Newcastle Geothermal Development project in Utah. The BLM plans to hold additional lease sales in Idaho, California, Oregon/Washington, and Nevada in 2025.
• Oil and Gas leasing: Currently, there are more than 23.2 million acres of BLM-managed lands under lease for oil and gas development and production. During the first and second quarter lease sales held so far, the BLM has generated more than $4.2 million by leasing 45 parcels totaling 29,304 acres across five states (Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Wyoming). The BLM plans to hold an additional 17 lease sales across the U.S. in 2025, as the Department of Interior works to address President Trump’s National Energy Emergency Declaration, and implements Secretary Burgum’s Secretarial Order Addressing the National Energy Emergency.
• Pipelines: The BLM approved the 16-mile Pinyon Pipeline, supporting the conversion of the Valmy Power Plant from coal to natural gas-powered in Nevada. The bureau also approved three natural gas pipelines in Utah: the two-mile Randlett to Aurora Interconnect Pipeline to connect existing wells to the Timberline Compressor Station; the 3,320-foot Chapita Wells Pipeline connecting to the Chipeta Processing Plant; and the 3.5-mile Park Mountain Pipeline connecting the Uintah Basin to markets in the West. In addition, the BLM advanced the Snake River Pipeline relocation project to increase natural gas delivery capacity in Idaho.
• Renewable projects: The BLM approved hydrogeologic testing for the potential White Pine Waterpower project in Nevada and advanced the Oquirrh Pumped Storage Hydro project in Utah. The bureau also approved the Elisabeth Solar project in Arizona, expected to generate up to 270 megawatts and store up to 300 megawatts of power for the Arizona and California grids, and advanced the 300-megawatt Pinyon Solar project and associated 500-kilovolt gen-tie transmission line in Arizona.
• Transmission lines: The BLM approved the Sapphire Gen-tie transmission line to transmit 117 megawatts to the California power grid and advanced the Carey to Pabco rebuild project in Nevada.

In support of President Trump’s and Interior Secretary Burgum’s orders to unleash Alaska’s extraordinary resource potential, the BLM is expanding exploration and development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The BLM is also working toward partial revocation of public land withdrawals to solidify the path forward for the proposed Ambler Road and Alaska Liquified Natural Gas Pipeline projects.

The BLM energy programs have a broad foundation of sources that contribute to American Energy Dominance and provide substantial economic opportunities for families and communities by reducing the cost of living for all Americans through access to abundant, reliable, and affordable energy.

Minerals  

The BLM advanced the Trump administration’s efforts to increase American mineral production by supporting continued operations at America’s second rare earth elements mine, Colosseum Mine in California, approved lithium exploration for the Clayton Valley and Nevada North projects, an access road and associated facilities for transporting limestone from Chubbuck Mine, and continued gold mining at the Ruby Hill Mine. The BLM also advanced 22 additional mining projects across Alaska, Arizona, California, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming.  

The BLM is the lead agency supporting the first wave of critical mineral production projects designated by the administration for streamlined FAST-41 permitting. These projects include:

• Caldwell Canyon
• McDermitt Caldera  
• Lisbon Valley  
• Silver Peak  
• Warrior Met

Timber  

The BLM supported the President Trump’s order to immediately expand American timber production by generating over $10.2 million (over $3.5 million above appraised value) by selling 32,232,000 board feet of harvestable timber across 1,333 acres during nine sales in Oregon and Idaho. The BLM plans to hold an additional 40 timber sales across the U.S. in 2025.

National Security

The BLM also protected resources along the southern border by transferring approximately 109,651 acres of federal land along the U.S.-Mexico border in New Mexico to the Army. The BLM will continue to do their part to stop the border crisis while protecting our nation’s resources.  

Additional bureau highlights

The BLM supported President Trump’s and Interior Secretary Burgum’s orders to deliver emergency price relief for American families and defeat the cost-of-living crisis by selling eight parcels totaling about 42 acres in the Las Vegas Valley for more than $16.5 million (more than $1.2 million over fair market value), in accordance with the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act. The sold parcels have the potential to be developed for housing and help alleviate the housing shortage crisis in Clark County.

By cutting red tape and advancing policies that honor America’s heritage, innovation, and sustainability, the BLM continues to demonstrate its commitment to serve the interests of the American people and strengthen the nation’s future.

Public lands belong to the American people, and the BLM is ensuring that they are managed for sustainable use and long-term health. Notably, the BLM is actively managing rangelands, woodlands, and forests to reduce wildfire risk and increase economic returns for the safety and benefit of rural communities through equipment transfers, local wildfire training, and community assistance.

Whether unleashing American energy, reinvigorating America’s clean coal industry, taking immediate measures to increase American mineral production, expanding America’s timber production, or combating the border crisis, the BLM, under Interior Secretary Burgum’s leadership, has acted to advance President Trump’s agenda.

The BLM manages more than 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.