Active Renewable Projects
Developing Clean Energy on Public Lands
The BLM continues to receive 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 energy, and solar energy, and gen-tie 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 as follows:
- Recent and Upcoming Lease Sales or Notice of Competitive Offers
- Proposed Renewable Energy Projects In Review
- Projects In National Environmental Policy Act Review (NEPA)
- Projects In Preliminary Review
Additional information can be found by clicking on the project name, or by viewing the public MLRS 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 |
| Gen-Tie | Generation Interconnect |
| MW | Megawatt |
| NOA | Notice of Availability |
| NOCO | Notice of Competitive Offer |
| NOI | Notice of Intent |
| POD | Plan of Development |
| ROD | Record of Decision |
| SEZ | Solar Energy Zone |
| USFS | United States Forest Service |
Renewable Energy Projects Approved (as of December 2024)
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 45 projects approved by the Biden-Harris administration (11 solar, 2 wind, 14 geothermal, and 18 gen-ties) on approximately 63,078 acres of BLM-managed lands. These projects expect to produce up to 11,831 megawatts of electricity — enough to power up to 5,439,216 homes' electricity use for one year. (Here is an explanation of how this number was calculated.)
- Solar Projects Approved (11)
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State Project Name Potential Output (MW) BLM Acres Status CA Arica Solar 265 1,355 EA Released 8/6/21
EA Completed 12/20/21
DR Executed 12/20/21CA Crimson Solar 350 2,600 NOI Publication 3/9/18
NOA Draft EIS 11/1/19
NOA Final EIS 2/24/21
ROD Executed 5/3/21CA Easley Solar 390 2,745 DR Executed 12/6/24 CA Oberon Solar 500 2,700 EA Released 8/13/21
EA Completed 1/13/22
DR Executed 1/13/22CA Victory Pass Solar 200 1,310 EA Released 8/6/21
EA Completed 12/20/21
DR Executed 12/20/21NM Ancient Trails 1 9 EA Released 8/8/22
EA Completed 9/16/22
DR Executed 9/16/22NM City of Santa Fe 0.5 0.7 EA Completed 7/31/23
DR Executed 7/31/23NV 150 2,000 EA Released 1/19/24
EA Completed 4/19/24
DR Executed 4/19/24NV Libra Solar 700 5,141 NOI Publication 4/24/23
NOA Draft EIS 1/19/24
NOA Final EIS 7/26/24
ROD Executed 9/16/24NV Luning II Solar 70 400 EA Released 9/23/21
EA Completed 12/17/21
DR Executed 12/17/21NV Townsite Solar 2 19 80 EA Released 8/3/23
EA Completed 9/26/23
DR Executed 9/26/23TOTAL 2,645.5 18,340.7
- Wind Energy Projects Approved (2)
-
State Project Name Potential Output (MW) BLM Acres Status ID Lava Ridge 1,000 38,535 DR Executed 12/5/24 WY Two Rivers Wind 280 4,507 DR Executed 12/18/24 Total 1,280 43,042
- Geothermal Projects Approved (14)
-
State Project Name Potential Output (MW) BLM Acres Status CA Ormesa 1 4 15 DNA Released 6/10/22
DNA Completed 9/16/22
DR Executed 9/16/22NV Baltazor Geothermal 60 84 EA Released 12/1/20
EA Completed 5/21/21
DR Executed 5/21/21NV Crescent Valley Geothermal 48 29 EA Completed 3/30/22
DR Executed 3/30/22NV Dixie Meadows Geothermal 60 206 EA Released 7/18/16
EA Released 1/21/21
EA Completed 11/23/21
DR Executed 11/23/21NV Gerlach Exploration TBD 29 EA Released 8/19/22
EA Completed 10/21/22
DR Executed 10/21/22NV San Emidio II - North Valley Geothermal 40 130 EA Released 11/27/20
EA Completed 5/21/21
DR Executed 5/21/21NV Star Peak - Humboldt House Geothermal 20 0 DNA Executed 1/25/22 NV Wabuska Exploration/Resource Confirmation TBD 55 DR Executed 4/1/24 NV Weepah Hills Exploration/Resource Confirmation TBD 4 EA Released 9/26/2023
EA Complete 11/21/2023
DR Executed 11/21/2023NV Whirlwind Exploration/Resource Confirmation TBD 29 DR Executed 3/14/24 UT Cape Modern Exploration TBD 172 DR Executed 2/12/23 UT Fervo Cape Power Plant 2,000 148 DR Executed 10/8/24 UT Ormat Bailey Mountain Geothermal TBD 62 EA Released 2/22/22
DR Executed 4/29/22UT Rodatherm Pilot Project 2.5 10 DR Executed 9/11/23 TOTAL 2,234.5 973
- Gen-Tie Projects Approved (18)
-
State Project Name Potential Output (MW) BLM Acres Status AZ HV Sunrise 150 34 EA Released 3/14/22
DR Executed 5/18/22CA Bellefield 1,500 4 CX Pending
DR Executed 8/10/22ID Moon Crater 301 5.5 DR Executed 6/13/23 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 7/14/21NV 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 7/14/21NV Grass Valley Solar 340 15 DNA Completed 10/20/21
DR Executed 10/20/21NV Hot Pot Solar 350 1 EA Completed 4/16/21
DR Executed 4/16/21NV Iron Point II Solar 250 4 EA Completed 4/16/21
DR Executed 4/16/21NV Tamarack Solar 60 5 DNA Complete 6/9/22
DR Executed 6/9/22NM Arroyo Solar 300 15 EA Completed 12/11/20
DR Executed 12/11/20NM La Mesa Solar Interconnect 20 14 DR Executed 12/21/22 NM San Juan Solar 600 135 EA Pending
DR Executed 1/5/22NM Sunbelt Solar 100 6 CX Pending
DR Executed 6/10/22UT Hornshadow Solar 250 13 EA Released 9/29/21
EA Completed 12/7/21
DR Executed 12/7/21UT RC Solar 80 16 DNA Released 10/26/22
DNA Completed 12/2/22
DR Executed 12/2/22UT Quicksilver Cedar 300 25 EA Released 5/28/21
EA Completed 8/16/21
DR Executed 8/16/21UT Zion Solar NextEra 80 27 DNA Completed 3/22/21
DR Executed 3/22/21WY Rock Creek 590 85 DR Executed 3/15/23 TOTAL 5,671 722.5
Recent and Upcoming Lease Sales or Notice of Competitive Offers (as of December 2024)
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 recent and upcoming lease sale auctions or competitive offers.
| State | Date of Sale/Offer* | Project Name | Renewable Energy Type | Acres Offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZ-BLM | Lease Issued 2022 | Elisabeth Solar I | Solar | 1,411 |
| AZ-BLM | Lease Issued 2022 | Heliogen SR2 | Solar | 3,347 |
| CO-BLM | Lease Issued 2023 | Pine Gate - De Tilla Gulch (SEZ) | Solar | 1,064 |
| NM-BLM | Lease Sale 2024 | Competitive Geothermal Lease Sale | Geothermal | 219,540 |
| NV-BLM | Lease Issued 2023 | NV Energy Parcel A - Amargosa SEZ | Solar | 3,775 |
| NV-BLM | Lease Issued 2023 | NV Energy Parcel B – Amargosa SEZ | Solar | TBD |
| NV-BLM | Lease Sale 2024 | 2024 Battle Mountain District Geothermal Lease Sale | Geothermal | 17,866 |
| UT-BLM | Lease Issued 2022 | Minersville Solar Energy Parcel A | Solar | 310 |
| UT-BLM | Lease Issued 2022 | Minersville Solar Energy Parcel B | Solar | 2,708 |
| UT-BLM | Lease Issued 2022 | Minersville Solar Energy Parcel C | Solar | 1,818 |
| UT-BLM | Lease Sale 2025 | 2025 Competitive Lease Sale | Geothermal | TBD |
| UT-USFS | Lease Sale 2024 | 2024 USFS Geothermal Competitive Lease Sale | Geothermal | 6,061 |
*Dates are subject to change. Please check the project website for updates.
Proposed Renewable Energy Projects In Review (as of December 2024)
Projects must undergo environmental review pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The BLM currently has 67 proposed renewable energy projects under review, for approximately 30 gigawatts.
Totals by Energy Type
| Energy Type | Number of Projects | Potential Output (MW) | BLM Acres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar | 44 | 25,027 | 218,189 |
| Wind | 3 | 2,821 | 175,976 |
| Geothermal | 10 | 234 | 1,718 |
| Gen-Tie | 10 | 1,452 | 322 |
| Total | 67 | 29,534 | 396,205 |
Projects In National Environmental Policy Act Review
Once the BLM completes preliminary review activities, projects may continue to the NEPA review process. The following table represents 13 proposed renewable energy projects (9 solar, 1 geothermal, and 3 gen-tie) in NEPA review with the potential of up to 9,085 MW on 91,067 acres and anticipated to receive an agency decision.
- Projects In National Environmental Policy Act Review
-
State Project Name Energy Type Potential Output (MW) BLM Acres Status AZ Elisabeth Solar I Solar 270 300 Draft EA Released 7/25/24 AZ Jove Solar 600 3,495 NOA Draft EIS Published 4/19/24 NOI Final EIS Published 11/15/24 AZ Ranegras Plains Solar 700 4,763 NOI Published 11/09/23 CA Easley Solar 390 2,745 Final EA Released 8/21/24 NV Bonanza Solar 300 131 NOI Published 6/5/23
NOA Draft EIS Published 9/6/24NV Copper Rays Solar 700 4,414 NOI Published 11/14/22
NOA Draft EIS Published 9/20/24NV Dodge Flat II Solar 200 1,500 NOI Published 1/19/24
Public Scoping 10/4/24NV Esmeralda Solar Complex (E7) Solar 6,200 62,000 NOI Published 11/13/23
NOA Draft EIS Published 7/26/24NV Golden Currant Solar 400 4,456 NOI Published 4/25/23
NOA Draft EIS Published 11/15/24NV Rough Hat Solar - Clark Solar 400 2,400 NOA Draft EIS Published 1/12/24
NOA Final EIS Published 11/1/24NV Star Peak 2 - Utilization Geothermal 48 130 Drafting EA WY Two Rivers Wind Wind 235 4,505 Draft EA Released 7/10/23 WY Uinta Wind Gen-Tie and Road Gen-Tie 0 56 Drafting EA WY Lucky Star Gen-Tie 0 0 Drafting EA
Projects In Preliminary Review
Before entering formal environmental review under NEPA, proposals for renewable energy projects undergo agency preliminary review. This includes but is not limited to adjudication for completeness and conformance with regulatory requirements, processing prioritization, and development of a cost recovery agreement with applicants.
The following table represents 54 proposed renewable energy projects (35 solar, 3 wind, 9 geothermal, and 7 gen-tie) which are in preliminary review and anticipated to receive an agency decision. If approved, these proposed projects would represent a combined potential of up to 19,950 MW on 468,000 acres.
In addition, the BLM is currently processing an additional 131 applications. These proposals can be found by viewing the public MLRS Reports.
- Projects in Preliminary Review
-
State Project Name Energy Type Potential Output (MW) BLM Acres Status AZ Caballero Solar Solar 200 1,278 Project Planning AZ Calypte Solar Solar 685 6,340 Variance Process AZ Eagle Eye Solar Solar 400 4,830 Project Planning AZ Heliogen SR2 Solar 165 3,347 POD Review AZ Leo Solar Solar 450 5,565 Project Planning AZ Mariposa Solar Solar 410 2,350 POD Review AZ Rainbow Valley Gen-Tie 300 121 Project Planning AZ Socorro Solar Solar 350 3,032 Project Planning AZ Southwest Crossroads Solar Solar 250 2,298 Variance Concurrence AZ Yellow Cups Solar 500 5,173 Variance Process CA Cady Solar Solar 300 2,866 Project Planning CA Calypso I Solar 300 3,271 Project Planning CA Calypso II Solar 300 2,133 Project Planning CA Empyreal Gen-Tie Gen-Tie 125 2.8 Project Planning CA Johnson Solar Solar 500 5,573 Project Planning CA Long Trek Solar Expansion Solar 0 2,611 Project Planning CA Lycan Solar Solar 600 5,590 Project Planning CA Perkins (Previously East Mesa) Solar 1,150 5,821 Project Planning CA Redonda Solar 250 3,481 Project Planning CA Soda Mountain Solar Solar 358 1,767 Project Planning CA Sunbaked Solar Solar 400 2,882 Project Planning CA Truckhaven Geothermal 50 0 Project Planning CA Vega 2-3-5 Solar Gen-Tie 350 7 Project Planning CA Verano Solar Solar 1,200 8,915 Project Planning CA Yeagar Solar Solar 400 1,878 Project Planning ID Bennett Solar Solar 480 4,076 Project Planning ID Salmon Falls Wind Wind 900 90,000 Project Planning NM Ancient Trails Solar Project Solar 1 8.93 Project Planning NM Black Mountain Gen-Tie Gen-Tie 100 15 Project Planning NM Cowboy Solar Solar 200 2,600 POD Review NM Rincon Exploration/Resource Confirmation Geothermal TBD 1,475 Project Planning NM Shiprock Solar Solar 360 2,000 Project Planning NV Esmeralda North Solar 1,000 7,402 Variance Process NV Fish Lake Utilization Geothermal 20 80 Project Planning NV Lone Mountain Utilization Geothermal 48 TBD Project Planning NV Mason Valley Solar 400 2,900 Project Planning NV Mosey Solar Solar 500 5,281 Project Planning NV Pantheon Solar Solar 400 2,682 Variance Process NV Pearl Hot Springs Utilization Geothermal 48 TBD Project Planning NV Rooster's Comb Solar Solar 400 2,565 Project Planning NV Samantha Solar Solar 600 2,891 Variance Process NV Weepah Hills Exploration / Resource Confirmation Geothermal 0 4 Project Planning NV Whirlwind Exploration / Resource Confirmation Geothermal 0 29 Project Planning OR Expedition Solar 700 0 Project Planning OR Newberry Volcano EGS Geothermal 0 0 Project Planning UT Minersville Solar 600 4,836 Project Planning UT Neptune Solar Solar 199 1,680 Project Planning UT Newcastle Geothermal Utilization Geothermal 20 0 Project Planning UT Quicksilver Solar Gen-Tie Gen-Tie 300 36.4 Project Planning UT RC Solar Gen-Tie Gen-Tie 80 15.8 Project Planning UT Star Range Solar 600 4,288 Project Planning UT Zion Solar - Three Peaks Gen-Tie Gen-Tie 80 27.3 Project Planning WY Jackalope Wind 600 100 Application / Initial POD Review WY Maestro Wind 1,321 85,876 Project Planning