DEVELOPING CLEAN ENERGY ON PUBLIC LANDS
The BLM has received over 100 proposals for utility-scale wind, solar, geothermal, and gen-tie line projects on public land. These projects are in various stages of review or implementation.
Applications for wind and solar energy projects may be processed and authorized as rights-of-way under Title V of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, and Title 43, Part 2800, of the Code of Federal Regulations. Wind and solar projects are authorized under right-of-way leases within designated leasing areas and are authorized under right-of-way grants in areas outside of designated leasing areas. Geothermal energy projects are processed under the Geothermal Steam Act, as amended, and Title 43, Part 3200, CFR, and are authorized under leases and permits.
The tables below provide a current list of active renewable energy projects. Additional information can be found by clicking on the project name, or by viewing the public LR2000 reports.
LIST OF ACRONYMS USED ON THIS PAGE
| BLM | Bureau of Land Management |
| CFR | Code of Federal Regulations |
| DNA | Determination of NEPA Adequacy |
| DR | Decision Record |
| EA | Environmental Assessment |
| EIS | Environmental Impact Statement |
| MW | Megawatt |
| NOA | Notice of Availability |
| NOI | Notice of Intent |
| ROD | Record of Decision |
UPCOMING LEASE SALES OR NOTICE OF COMPETITIVE OFFERS (as of August 8, 2022)
The BLM offers lands for renewable energy development through competitive lease sales for geothermal or notice of competitive offers for solar. Leases not awarded through one of these methods may become available noncompetitively. This table represents upcoming lease sale auctions or competitive offers.
| State | Date of Sale/Offer* | Project Name | Renewable Energy Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| NV | 8/30/2022 | Lease Sale | Geothermal |
| OR | 9/15/2022 | Lease Sale | Geothermal |
*Dates are subject to change. Please check the project website for updates.
PROJECTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (as of August 8, 2022)
Projects must undergo environmental review pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The below table represents one renewable energy project in progress with the potential of up to 1,000 MW on 76,000 acres.
Other projects in various stages of preliminary review can be found by viewing the public LR2000 reports.
Wind Energy Projects
| State | Project Name | Potential Output (MW) | BLM Acres | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ID | Lava Ridge | >1,000 | 10,000 - 76,000 | NOI Published 8/20/21 |
PROJECTS APPROVED (as of August 8, 2022)
As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to achieve 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2035 and meet the Energy Act of 2020 goal of permitting 25 gigawatts of renewable energy on public lands by 2025, the BLM has approved the following renewable energy projects with a Record of Decision or Decision Record.
These tables represent 25 projects (7 solar, 6 geothermal, and 12 gen-ties) on approximately 17,625 acres of BLM-managed lands. These projects expect to produce 5,545 megawatts of electricity — enough to power approximately 1,811,430 homes. (Here is an explanation of how this number was calculated.) Here is a list of renewable energy projects approved in Fiscal Year 2021 (October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021).
Solar Energy Projects
| State | Project Name | Potential Output (MW) | BLM Acres | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZ | Sonoran Solar | 260 | 3,320 |
EA Released 8/14/21 EA Completed 09/17/21 DR Executed 09/17/21 |
| CA | Arica Solar | 265 | 2,000 |
EA Released 8/6/21 EA Completed 12/20/21 DR Executed 12/20/21 |
| CA | Crimson Solar | 350 | 2,600 |
NOI Publication 3/9/18 NOA Draft EIS 11/1/19 NOA Final EIS 2/24/21 ROD Executed 5/3/21 |
| CA | Oberon Solar | 500 | 2,700 |
EA Released 8/13/21 EA Completed 1/13/22 DR Executed 1/13/22 |
| CA | Victory Pass Solar | 200 | 1,800 |
EA Released 8/6/21 EA Completed 12/20/21 DR Executed 12/20/21 |
| NV | Luning II Solar | 70 | 400 |
EA Released 9/23/21 EA Completed 12/17/21 DR Executed 12/17/21 |
| UT | Minersville Solar | 600 | 4,836 |
EA Released 4/20/18 EA Completed 7/23/18 DR Executed 7/23/18 Leases Issued 3/11/22 |
| TOTAL | 2,245 | 16,521 |
Geothermal Energy Projects
| State | Project Name | Potential Output (MW) | BLM Acres | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NV | Baltazor Geothermal | 60 | 84 |
EA Released 12/1/20 EA Completed 5/21/21 DR Executed 5/21/21 |
| NV | Dixie Meadows Geothermal | 60 | 206 | EA Released 7/18/16
EA Released 1/21/21 EA Completed 11/23/21 DR Executed 11/23/21 |
| NV | Crescent Valley Geothermal | TBD | 29 | DR Executed 3/30/22 |
| NV | San Emidio II - North Valley Geothermal | 40 | 130 |
EA Released 11/27/20 EA Completed 5/21/21 DR Executed 5/21/21 |
| NV | Star Peak Geothermal | 20 | 0 | DNA Executed 1/25/22 |
| UT | Ormat Bailey Mountain Geothermal | TBD | 62 |
EA Released 2/22/22 DR Executed 4/29/22 |
| TOTAL | 180 | 511 |
Gen-Tie Energy Projects
| State | Project Name | Potential Output (MW) | BLM Acres | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZ | HV Sunrise | 150 | 34 |
EA Released 3/14/22 DR Executed 5/18/22 |
| NV | Big Horn Solar I | 300 | 162 |
NOI Publication 5/8/20 NOA Draft EIS 3/12/21 NOA Final EIS 6/3/21 ROD Executed 7/14/21 |
| NV | Big Horn Solar II | 100 | 156 |
NOI Publication 5/8/20 NOA Draft EIS 3/12/21 NOA Final EIS 6/3/21 ROD Executed 7/14/21 |
| NV | Grass Valley Solar | 340 | 15 |
DNA Completed 10/20/21 DR Executed 10/20/21 |
| NV | Hot Pot Solar | 350 | 1 |
EA Completed 4/16/21 DR Executed 4/16/21 |
| NV | Iron Point II Solar | 250 | 4 |
EA Completed 4/16/21 DR Executed 4/16/21 |
| NM | Arroyo Solar | 300 | 15 |
EA Completed 12/11/20 DR Executed 12/11/20 |
| NM | San Juan Solar | 600 | 135 |
EA Pending DR Executed 1/5/22 |
| NM | Sunbelt Solar | 100 | 6 |
CX Pending DR Executed 6/10/22 |
| UT | Hornshadow Solar | 250 | 13 |
EA Released 9/29/21 EA Completed 12/7/21 DR Executed 12/7/21 |
| UT | Quicksilver Cedar Valley | 300 | 25 |
EA Released 5/28/21 EA Completed 8/16/21 DR Executed 8/16/21 |
| UT | Zion Solar NextEra | 80 | 27 |
DNA Completed 3/22/21 DR Executed 3/22/21 |
| TOTAL | 3,120 | 593 |