Active Renewable Energy Projects

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT



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Active Renewable Energy Projects

The Bureau of Land Management continues its work on environmentally responsible development of utility-scale renewable energy projects on public lands as part of the Administration's efforts to diversify the Nation's energy portfolio.

The BLM is currently processing 23 renewable energy projects (14 solar, 6 wind, and 3 geothermal) representing about 5,300 MW. The BLM identified these projects for processing through collaboration that emphasizes early consultation with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and, in the case of geothermal projects on forest lands, with the U.S. Forest Service. The projects were selected based on the screening criteria outlined in BLM policy memoranda issued in February 2011. In addition, the BLM considered the progress of each project in terms of the necessary public participation and environmental analysis under NEPA and applicable state environmental laws. Based on this consideration of progress, and best information from project proponents, the BLM and the BIA anticipate that the projects on the list may reach a decision point within the next 24 months. The BLM and the BIA intend to update the Active Renewable Energy Projects list as new projects that meet the standards above are proposed.

The table below indicates the locations and other details regarding the BLM's active renewable energy projects. It also shows project status relative to landscape-level plans, like the Solar Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Solar PEIS). Links are given to related BLM and state web pages, as well as Federal Register notices. Rows shaded in light blue denote projects on private and/or Tribal land -- "connected-action projects" -- that will require BLM authorizations for transmission, access, and other off-site facilities.

Related link:

Renewable Energy Projects Approved Since the Beginning of Calendar Year 2009

EA = Environmental Assessment NOI = Notice of Intent
EIS = Environmental Impact Statement ROD = Record of Decision
FONSI = Finding of No Significant Impact SEZ = Solar Energy Zone (Solar Programmatic EIS)

Solar Energy Projects

State
Project Name
[Applicant]
(County)
Technology
Potential Output (MW) ^a
BLM Acreage
Status ^b
AZ
Hyder Valley Solar (map)
[Pacific Solar Investments]
(Maricopa)
CSP -
Parabolic
Trough
350
4,500
NOI published 5/20/10
Draft EIS pending
AZ
Quartzsite Solar Energy (map)
[Solar Reserve]
(La Paz)
CSP -
Power Tower
100
1,675
NOI published 1/14/10
Draft EIS released 11/10/11
Final EIS released 12/21/12
Decision pending
Land Use Plan Amendment
CA
Stateline Solar (map)
[First Solar]
(San Bernardino)
PV
300
2,143
NOI published 8/4/11
Draft EIS released 11/23/11
Final EIS pending
Land Use Plan Amendment
CA
McCoy Solar (map)
[NextEra]
(Riverside)
PV
750
7,700
NOI published 8/29/11
Draft EIS released 5/25/12
Final EIS released 12/21/2012
Decision pending
(Riverside East SEZ)
Land Use Plan Amendment
CA
Desert Harvest Solar (map)
[EDF-Renewable (EnXco)]
(Riverside)
PV
150
1,208
NOI published 9/15/11
Draft EIS released 4/13/12
Final EIS released 11/2/12
Decision pending
(Riverside East SEZ)
Land Use Plan Amendment
CA
Ocotillo Sol (map)
[San Diego Gas & Electric]
(Imperial)
PV
14
115
NOI published 7/17/11
Draft EIS released 4/20/12
Final EIS pending
Land Use Plan Amendment
CA
Ft Mojave Solar (BIA) (map)
[First Solar]
(San Bernardino)
PV
310
-- ^c
NOI pending
CA
Silverleaf Solar (map)
[Tenaska (Silverleaf Solar)]
(Imperial)
PV
160
-- ^c
EA pending
CA
Blythe Mesa Solar (map)
[Renewable Resources Group]
(Riverside)
PV
485
-- ^c
EA pending
CA/NV
Hidden Hills Solar (map)
[BrightSource]
(Inyo, CA / Clark, NV)
CSP -
Power Tower
500
-- ^c
NOI published 10/11/11
Draft EIS pending
NV
Silver State South Solar (map)
[First Solar]
(Clark)
PV
350
2,290
NOI published 9/1/11
Draft EIS pending
Land Use Plan Amendment
NV
Boulder City Solar (map)
[Techren]
(Clark)
PV
300
-- ^c
EA completed
Decision pending
NV
Mountain View Solar (map)
[NextEra]
(Clark)
PV
20
-- ^c
EA pending
NV
Moapa Solar (BIA) (map)
[RES America]
(Clark)
PV/CSP
200
-- ^c
NOI published 8/6/12
Draft EIS pending

a   Rated total output capacity. Potential output may change depending on the analysis and review of each project.
b   All listed active solar projects, including those located within a Solar Energy Zone (SEZ), predate the Solar EIS.
c   Projects on private/Tribal land: denotes "connected action" projects that will require BLM authorizations for transmission, access, and other off-site facilities.

Wind Energy Projects

State
Project Name
[Applicant]
(County / Counties)
Potential Output (MW) ^a
BLM Acreage
Status
AZ
Mohave County Wind Farm (map)
[BP Wind Energy]
(Mohave)
500
38,099
NOI published 7/26/10
Draft EIS released 4/27/12
Final EIS pending
CA
Granite Mountain Wind (map)
[Granite Wind (RES America)]
(San Bernardino)
84
2,086
NOI published 8/13/10
Draft EIS pending
Land Use Plan Amendment
CA
Walker Ridge Wind (map)
[AltaGas Renewable Energy]
(Lake and Colusa)
70
7,882
NOI published 8/13/2010
Draft EIS pending
CA
Alta East Wind (map)
[Alta WindPower]
(Kern)
300
2,024
NOI published 7/15/11
Draft EIS released 6/29/12
Final EIS released 2/15/13
Land Use Plan Amendment
CA
Tule Wind (BIA) (map)
[Iberdrola (Pacific Wind)]
(San Diego)
51
-- ^b
NOI published 12/29/09
Draft EIS released 12/23/10
Final EIS released 12/23/11
Decision pending
NV
Searchlight Wind (map)
[Duke Energy]
(Clark)
200
24,382
NOI published 12/16/08
Draft EIS released 1/20/12
Final EIS released 12/14/12
Decision pending

^aRated total output capacity. Potential output may change depending on the analysis and review of each project.
^b Projects on private/Tribal land: denotes "connected action" projects that will require BLM authorizations for transmission, access, and other off-site facilities.

Geothermal Energy Projects

State
Project Name
[Applicant]
(County)
Potential Output (MW) ^a
BLM Acreage
Status
CA
Casa Diablo (map)
[Mammoth Pacific (Ormat)]
(Mono)
33
100
NOI published 3/25/11
Draft EIS released 11/16/12
Final EIS pending
NV
Silver Peak (map)
[Rockwood]
(Esmeralda)
5
5
EA pending
NV
New York Canyon (map)
[Terragen]
(Pershing)
62
15,135
EA pending

^aRated total output capacity. Potential output may change depending on the analysis and review of each project.