BLM Hosts Geothermal Lease Sale in Sacramento
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management will hold a competitive geothermal lease sale on October 26, at 1 p.m. at the Sheraton Grand Hotel, 1230 J St., Sacramento.
BLM California will offer two parcels totaling 3,495 acres of public lands and federal minerals within the El Centro Field Office.
BLM Nevada will offer 22 parcels totaling 46,976 acres of public lands and split estate in the Battle Mountain, Carson City, Elko and Winnemucca districts.
BLM Utah will offer six parcels totaling 15,782 acres of public lands and split estate in the Fillmore and Cedar City field offices.
Geothermal leases are for a 10-year period. Annual rental for a competitive lease is $2 per acre for the first year, and $3 per acre for lease years 2-10. Annual rental for a noncompetitive lease is $1 per acre for lease years 1-10. For each parcel, the bid, rental receipts, and subsequent royalties are disbursed such that 50 percent of the funds 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.
The BLM manages public lands for many uses, including sustainable energy development. The parcels being leased underwent a detailed environmental analysis that includes three opportunities for involvement: scoping, public comment and protest periods. In addition, each lease, if issued, 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.
A complete summary of the parcels to be offered, GIS shapefiles, and other documents related to the geothermal lease sale are available on each state’s website: for California, http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/prog/energy/geothermal/leasing.html; for Nevada, http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/prog/minerals/leasable_minerals/geothermal0/ggeothermal_leasing.html; and for Utah, http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/prog/energy/geothermal0.html. Documents are also available at each of the BLM state office’s Information Access Center.
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.