By Joey Gallo, Legal Writer for The Trailhead Podcast

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has recently proposed a groundbreaking plan to open 22 million acres across 11 Western states for solar development. This ambitious initiative aims to reshape the renewable energy landscape in the U.S. while addressing environmental and cultural concerns.

BLM’s Solar Roadmap: An Overview

The BLM’s solar roadmap aims to refine and expand the existing solar development areas, incorporating new potential locations in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. The plan presents six alternative approaches, prioritizing critical habitat and cultural resource protection.

Funding and Stakeholder Involvement

The proposal, backed by a $4.3 million fund from the Inflation Reduction Act, involved the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and various stakeholders. The NREL’s analysis suggests that approximately 700,000 acres of public lands will be essential to meet national renewable energy goals.

Diverse Opinions on Solar Development

While the Wilderness Society applauds the initiative for its potential benefits, concerns remain about specific locations like Nevada’s Amargosa Valley. Critics like Kevin Emmerich of Basin and Range Watch advocate for focusing on energy reduction and utilizing previously disturbed lands for solar projects.

The BLM’s Preferred Roadmap

The agency’s favored approach, limiting development to areas within 10 miles of existing or planned transmission lines, aims to open 22 million acres for solar applications. This strategy contrasts with an alternative plan focusing solely on previously disturbed lands, which would only open 8.4 million acres.

Industry Perspectives

The Solar Energy Industries Association acknowledges the BLM’s proposal as a significant step forward. They highlight the disparity between the acreage available for solar development compared to oil and gas, emphasizing the importance of solar energy in the nation’s energy economy.

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