Geothermal Energy

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The BLM leases lands it manages and other Federal lands, including National Forest lands, for geothermal exploration and development, and supervises operations of the leases.

Much of the geothermal activity on public lands takes place in California - which has over 23 producing leases - and Nevada. Other states with geothermal activity include Utah and New Mexico. The BLM geothermal program has over 58 producing leases, produces 24.2 megawatt-hours of energy per year, and accounts for more than $12 million in revenues annually.

Geothermal Leasing and Operations on Federal Lands

New geothermal regulations published in the Federal Register on May 2, 2007 became effective on June 1, 2007.  To read or download them, click here.

Two competititve lease sales have been held under the new regulations.

• June 20, 2007 - eight parcels in Utah and Idaho leased; $9.4 million total revenue
• August 14, 2007 - 49 parcels in California and Nevada leased; $19.7 million total revenue

October 2008: The BLM and the Forest Service have completed a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for leasing geothermal resources on lands they manage. The Final PEIS was published on October 24, 2008.  View or download the Final PEIS and visit the PEIS project website for more details.