Bureau of Land Management leases public lands for renewable energy development
Geothermal competitive sale generates $197,558 for leases
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As part of the Bureau of Land Management’s efforts to support the Biden-Harris administration’s goal to permit 25 gigawatts of solar, wind, and geothermal production on public lands by 2025, the BLM announced today it has leased two parcels, covering approximately 3,045 acres in Millard County, Utah, on public lands administered by the Fishlake National Forest in a geothermal lease sale. The sale generated $197,558, which will be shared between the State of Utah, Millard County, and the Federal Treasury.
“BLM Utah is committed to processing applications and leases for generating renewable energy on public lands, which provides jobs and generates clean electricity for our homes,” said BLM Fillmore Field Manager Cindy Ledbetter. “We will continue to work closely with our partners, Tribal Nations, communities, and local governments to ensure any energy development maximizes efficiencies and minimizes environmental impacts for the benefit of current and future generations.”
The competitive lease sale summary and results, list of registered bidders, and parcel descriptions are available on the BLM Utah geothermal energy website at https://on.doi.gov/3QVMw7F. Environmental planning documents, including maps and stipulations from the respective BLM resource management plans are available on the ePlanning website at https://bit.ly/3JbfjmG.
The BLM manages vast stretches of public lands having the potential to make significant contributions to the nation’s renewable energy portfolio. To promote our clean energy goals, the BLM provides sites for environmentally sound development of renewable energy on public lands and new transmission routes to connect into the grid.
Geothermal was the first renewable energy the BLM approved for production on public lands, with the first geothermal project approved in 1978. Replenished by heat sources deep in the Earth, geothermal energy is a renewable resource that generates electricity with minimal carbon emissions up to 24 hours per day. Learn more at https://on.doi.gov/3RdgbJL.
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.