Public lands shine bright as possible energy source

Parks & Recreation, Jan, 2005

The Bush Administration announced its Solar Energy Development Policy at the Solar Power 2004 Conference in late October. The policy will establish a framework for land managers to use right-of-way on public lands for solar energy development projects administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

"This is a way for the BLM to be proactive in responding to changes in solar technology while protecting the environment," said Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management Rebecca Watson.

More than 261 million acres of land, primarily in the West, are managed by the BLM. Unlike parks and wildlife refuges, BLM-managed lands are multi-use, including fossil fuel and renewable energy development. A 2003 report by the BLM and the U.S. Department of Energy assessed the potential for renewable energy resources on public lands managed by the BLM in 11 Western states.

The report identified areas in Arizona, Southern California, Nevada and New Mexico as the most promising for solar energy development on public lands. Parts of Texas, Utah and Colorado also have been outlined as part of a total of 25 potential solar energy development sites.

Commercial solar energy developers will also qualify to use right-of-way in these areas, once they get approval.

The BLM Solar Energy Development Land Authorization Policy can be found at www.blm.gov/nhp/efoia/wo/fy05/im2005-006.htm.>

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