Hello fellow solar enthusiasts, I’ve got some exciting news for you on our shared solar journey. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) just released a proposed roadmap for large-scale solar facilities development across a vast 162 million acres of public land, spread over 11 states. That’s a giant step for solar companies, and one that could greatly impact the ever-evolving solar landscape.
First off, you’re probably wondering why this big movement on public land. Well, to put simply, it’s directly tied to our growing necessity for sustainable and renewable energy solutions. Utilizing available public lands for solar project development is an investment in greener future. It’s a clear indication that solar is catching up, becoming an increasingly important consideration when it comes to energy production.
The allocated lands for solar development span Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. These lands have been marked suitable for solar and promise room for both solar panels for your home and solar array for home solutions on a grand scale.
But what does this mean for you? Well, potential environmental impact has always been a significant issue with large-scale infrastructure projects. Remember how much noise the topic made when the Keystone Pipeline was being discussed? BLM, however, excluded approximately 131 million acres of land from solar development due to potential environmental and habitat destruction. So, for the environmentally conscious out there, you can breathe a sigh of relief.
The BLM has planned its solar projects carefully, confining development to sites with slopes less than 10 degrees and within a 15-mile radius of an existing or planned transmission line of at least 69 kV. Additionally, lands that have been “previously disturbed,” according to the final environmental impact studies, are made eligible for development.
This all means that the solar industry is moving forward with an approach that balances conservation with clean energy goals. Seeing BLM’s commitment to the responsible development of solar infrastructure gives me hope for the future of our energy systems. Imagine the potential of this if more public lands were made available.
It’s worth noting, though, that BLM is also prioritizing other important land uses within these zones, such as recreational use, grazing, resource protection, and mineral development. However, if a segment of the public believes a certain piece of land should be preserved, they can lodge a protest, ensuring a balanced approach to solar adoption.
As of now, BLM has already approved proposals for 6 GW of solar projects on public lands. This growth is not just great news for the solar companies; it’s a testament to the ever-growing significance of solar in our daily lives. And I, for one, can’t wait to see where this takes us. Stay tuned, solar enthusiasts; we’re only just warming up.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/09/24/how-blm-balances-conservation-with-solar-development/
