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Renewable Energy Resources
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New Energy for America
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 | Solar EnergySolar radiation levels in the Southwest are some of the best in the world, and the BLM manages over 20 million acres of public lands with solar potential. The BLM has received a large number of utility-scale solar energy right-of-way applications, mainly in California, Nevada, and Arizona. In 2010, the BLM approved the first utility-scale solar energy projects on public lands. To date, it has approved 10 such projects, which include all of the technologies considered to be commercially viable (parabolic trough, power tower, dish engine, and photovoltaic systems). These 10 projects have the potential to generate 4200 megawatts of clean, renewable energy - enough energy to power roughly 1.2 million homes. In 2011, the BLM also approved linear rights-of-way that will enable the construction of 3 projects on private land that have the potential to generate another 700 megawatts. |  | Wind EnergyThe BLM manages 20.6 million acres of public lands with wind potential. The BLM’s Lands and Realty Management program has authorized 29 wind energy development projects with a current total installed capacity of 437 megawatts, enough to supply the power needs of over 150,000 homes. In addition, the BLM has approved 170 wind energy site testing authorizations. |  | Geothermal EnergyThe BLM has the delegated authority for leasing 249 million acres of public lands (including just over 100 million acres of National Forest lands) with geothermal potential. The BLM presently manages 683 geothermal leases, and 36 geothermal power plants that use federal resources in California, Nevada, and Utah have a total net capacity of 1,300 megawatts, enough to supply the power needs of about 1.3 million homes. This amounts to about 50 percent of U.S. geothermal energy capacity. |  | Biomass and BioenergyBLM manages approximately 69 million acres of forests and woodlands. About 16 million acres need restoration. The BLM is increasing the use of small-diameter material from forestry, fuels and rangeland treatments. The demand for biomass is expected to increase as bioenergy facilities come on-line to produce heat, fuel, or electricity. |  | Energy Transmission CorridorsThe Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement identifies energy corridors to facilitate future siting of renewable energy development projects, as well as oil, gas, and hydrogen pipelines. Energy transport corridors are agency-preferred locations where pipelines and transmission lines may be sited and built in the future to meet the region’s increasing energy demands while mitigating potential harmful effects to the environment. Once designated as a Corridor, individual pipelines and tranmission lines within the Corridor are sited by processing of a right-of-way application |
Renewable Energy Priority ProjectsThe BLM has given priority status to 19 solar, wind, and geothermal projects as part of the Administration’s efforts to diversify the Nation’s energy portfolio in an environmentally responsible manner. This priority list was developed in collaboration with the Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service, with an emphasis on early consultation. The screening criteria for priority solar and wind projects, developed through BLM policy memoranda issued in February 2011, assisted in evaluating and screening these utility-scale projects on BLM-managed lands. BLM Education ProgramsBLM State Renewable Energy LinksOther Resources
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