BLM promotes solar energy development

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released a proposed roadmap that aims to increase the development of solar energy on public lands in Western states.

The Western Solar Plan was first instituted in 2012 and is now set to be expanded to an additional five states, including Wyoming.

The total area encompasses around 162 million acres of public land and would make 31 million of these acres available for solar applications.

The proposal aims to identify “solar application areas”, which are broad areas of BLM lands where solar proposals would likely encounter fewer conflicts with other resources.

The plan is being updated due to an increase in utility-scale solar energy development, “driven by the urgent need to replace fossil fuel energy sources with renewable energy sources in order to reduce the impacts of climate change,” according to Friday’s notice in the Federal Register.

Advancements in technology and economic factors have meanwhile shifted focus to photovoltaic technology (also known as solar panels) and the BLM says it is seeing increasing interest in development on the five northern states – including Wyoming – that were not covered by the 2012 plan.

Public lands would be available for solar applications under the proposal if they are within 15 miles of an existing or planned transmission line or are identified as “previously disturbed”.

The application process would exclude applications from areas where protection is warranted and the projects would likely cause unacceptable impacts.

The Western Solar Plan, according to the BLM, builds on the Investing in America agenda of the Biden administration, which is working to transition the nation to clean energy while lowering energy costs for consumers, creating union jobs, tacking climate change and advancing clean air and environmental justice priorities.

The goal is to achieve an electricity grid that’s 100% clean by 2035.

This year, the BLM exceeded its goal of permitting more than 25 gigawatts of clean energy on public lands through 40 solar, geothermal and gen-ties projects.

“The updated Western Solar Plan will help build modern, resilient energy infrastructure that creates a strong clean energy economy and protects our communities from the worsening impacts of climate change,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Dr. Steve Feldgus in a press release. 

“Through extensive planning and collaboration, we’re not only protecting our public lands but also ensuring that permitting for solar projects moves faster and more efficiently, avoiding conflicts and striking the right balance as we advance clean energy and safeguard the environment.”

The plan does not authorize any solar developments. Proposed projects will still undergo environmental review and public comment.

A 30-day protest period began on Friday, allowing commenters to submit their thoughts to BLM Director, Attention: Protest Coordinator (HQ210), Denver Federal Center, Building 40 (Door W-4) Lakewood, CO 80215 or via the project website at https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2022371/510.

After the protest period, the proposal will enter a 60-day consistency review. Once any remaining issues have been resolved, the record of decision and final resource management plan amendments will be published.