Energy
The BLM has a key role in developing and delivering energy to meet the needs of America's homes, businesses, and communities. Promoting dependable and environmentally sound energy production on Federal public lands can help the U.S achieve energy independence.
By 2015, wind energy production in Idaho could provide enough electricity to power 150,000 homes, and studies estimate that Idaho could generate enough electricity from geothermal energy by 2015 to supply the needs of 204,000 homes. Idaho is also a critical link in U.S. powerline and pipeline networks.
Toward the Future — Renewable Energy
The Jarbidge Field Office is leading the environment impact statement (EIS) for the China Mountain wind energy project, proposed for 30,700 acres of public, state and private lands in the Jarbidge Foothills, southwest of Rogerson in Twin Falls County, Idaho and west of Jackpot in Elko County, Nevada.
In 2006 the BLM approved the Cotterel Mountain wind energy project, administered through the Burley Field Office. Up to 98 wind turbines on BLM-managed lands in south-central Idaho will have the potential to generate 200 megawatts of electricity.
BLM-Idaho also actively manages competitive leasing of federal geothermal resources under regulations finalized in 2007. 33,006 acres of Federal public lands in Idaho are under lease. An additional 39,000 acres have been nominated for leasing. Of those, 26,100 acres are being , with a sale in early 2011. Future leasing will proceed under the Nationwide programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) for geothermal energy development. Six parcels in the Castle Creek field are available over-the-counter (non-competitively) at the Idaho State Office Public Room.
In 2010 the Burley Field Office approved five geothermal drilling permits on leases in Raft River, and temperature gradient drilling was performed in the Crane Creek field of the BLM Boise District.
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