The US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published final rules to govern leasing and rental rates for renewable energy projects on public lands. The new rules will reduce rents and fees for renewable energy projects through 2035and eliminate duplicative payments for renewable energy developers; extend lease for renewable projects to 50 years; remove competitive leasing requirements in priority development areas; and make it easier to develop standalone energy storage projects on public lands.  1l155z

Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, announced that the Department has permitted over 25 gigawatts of clean energy projects ahead of schedule, enough to power 12 million homes. This includes solar, wind and geothermal projects, along with gen-tie lines on public lands.

The Department also unveiled a final Renewable Energy rule from the BLM aimed at reducing consumer energy costs, streamlining project development, and incentivizing responsible renewable energy development on public lands, aligning with the Biden-Harris istration's clean energy and job creation goals.

Additionally, the BLM announced the full operation of two solar projects in California - Arica and Victory , adding 465 megawatts to the grid. This brings the total clean energy generated on public lands to over 10 gigawatts, powering more than 5 million homes in the West.

To create jobs and grow the American economy

As the Department maintains its momentum toward a clean energy future, the BLM is currently processing permits for an additional 66 utility-scale clean energy projects proposed on public lands in the western United States. These projects have the potential to create thousands of jobs, add over 32 gigawatts of renewable energy to the western electric grid, and power millions more homes. The BLM is also conducting a preliminary review of about 200 applications for solar and wind development, as well as more than 100 applications for solar and wind energy site area testing. Progress on clean energy permitting is tracked through an online dashboard.

These investments in a clean energy future align with President Biden's economic strategy, which aims to grow the American economy by focusing on rebuilding infrastructure, driving new private sector investments in manufacturing and clean energy, creating well-paying jobs, and fostering resilience in communities while addressing the climate crisis.

Reductions for long-term projects

The final Renewable Energy Rule slashes capacity fees for such projects by 80 percent and expedites application review in priority areas, providing increased certainty for the private sector and the potential for more clean energy for American households.

Authorized by the Energy Act of 2020, the BLM has the mandate to reduce acreage rents and capacity fees to maximize wind and solar energy utilization. Initially addressed through guidance in 2022, final rule formalizes further reductions, offering enhanced financial predictability for developers engaging in long-term projects on public land.

Furthermore, this rule complements the BLM's ongoing efforts to promote responsible clean energy development by updating the Western Solar Plan. Currently, the BLM is soliciting comments on a draft analysis of the Utility-Scale Solar Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, aimed at streamlining the BLM’s framework for siting solar energy projects across the West, ing national clean energy goals, long-term energy security, climate resilience, and improved conservation outcomes.

Solar projects are functional

In line with President Biden’s goal for a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035, the Department announced the full operation of the Arica and Victory solar projects. These projects, the first two approved under the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRE), are located in eastern Riverside County, California. With their completion, the BLM has exceeded 10 gigawatts of renewable energy generation from projects on public lands.

Together, these projects represent a $689 million investment, providing an annual economic benefit of $5.9 million. They are expected to power nearly 139,000 homes and add 465 megawatts of clean energy capacity, along with 400 megawatts of battery storage. Final approval for construction was granted in 2022.

The DRE, covering over 22 million acres across seven California counties, balances renewable energy development with conservation efforts. Approval for these projects involved collaboration with Tribal governments, local communities, state regulators, industry stakeholders, and federal agencies.

Additionally, construction has begun for the Camino Solar project in Kern County, California. This 44-megawatt solar facility is expected to power nearly 13,400 homes and create around 150 jobs during peak construction.