BLM accepting public comments for proposed geothermal lease sale in Nevada
Organization
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The Bureau of Land Management today opened a 30-day public comment period on four environmental assessments for 53 parcels totaling 161,503 acres across Nevada that have been nominated for a proposed statewide geothermal lease sale. The public comment period closes August 21, 2023. All parcels included in the lease sale will be auctioned via EnergyNet on Nov. 14, 2023.
“We encourage everyone to take a look at the environmental assessments and related documents to provide feedback on these proposed parcels,” said BLM Nevada Deputy State Director of Energy and Minerals Justin Abernathy. “Hearing from the American public is a very important component of the NEPA process.”
The BLM manages vast stretches of public lands that have the potential to make significant contributions to the nation’s renewable energy portfolio. To promote the development of these energy sources, the BLM provides sites for environmentally sound development of renewable energy on public lands. The efficient deployment of renewable energy from our nation’s public lands is crucial in achieving the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035, as well as Congress’ direction in the Energy Act of 2020 to permit 25 gigawatts of solar, wind, and geothermal production on public lands no later than 2025.
Public comments must be submitted in writing to the appropriate contact listed below.
- BLM Battle Mountain District Office, 50 Bastian Road, Battle Mountain, NV 89820 ATTN: Project Manager Melissa Jennings or emailed to Melissa Jennings at mjennings@blm.gov. The environmental documents, lists, maps of the parcels, attached stipulations and comment portal are online at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2025076/510.
- BLM Carson City District Office, 5665 Morgan Mill Road, Carson City, NV 89701 ATTN: Project Manager, David Schroeder or emailed to David Schroeder at d1schroe@blm.gov. The environmental documents, lists, maps of the parcels, attached stipulations and comment portal are online at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2025572/510.
- BLM Elko District Office, 3900 East Idaho Street, Elko, NV 89801 ATTN: Project Manager, Harley Gordon at hgordon@blm.gov. The environmental documents, lists, maps of the parcels, attached stipulations and comment portal are online at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2025612/510.
- BLM Winnemucca District Office, 5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd., Winnemucca, NV 89455 ATTN: Project Manager, Tai Subia or emailed to Tai Subia at tsubia@blm.gov. The environmental documents, lists, maps of the parcels, attached stipulations and comment portal are online at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2024566/510.
Background
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 leasing on approximately 245 million acres of public lands, including 104 million acres of U.S. Forest Service lands. Geothermal energy can also be used to heat buildings, operate greenhouses and support aquaculture operations.
BLM-issued geothermal leases are for a 10-year period. For each parcel, 50 percent of the bid, rental receipts and subsequent royalties are disbursed to the respective state, an additional 25 percent is disbursed to the respective county, and 25 percent remains in the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Each lease contains standard stipulations to protect endangered species and cultural resources and ensures that development is safe and environmentally responsible. After parcels are leased, lessees must submit site-specific proposals for additional in-depth analysis before energy development can begin.
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.