The Department of the Interior announced today that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is advancing nine solar projects on public lands, potentially providing clean energy to nearly 2 million homes. These projects support President Biden’s goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035.
This announcement follows the Department’s April milestone, where the BLM permitted over 25 gigawatts of clean energy projects—exceeding targets ahead of 2025. These projects, which include solar, wind, and geothermal energy, as well as gen-tie lines on public lands, are important for connecting clean electricity projects on both federal and non-federal lands to the grid.
“The Interior Department is playing a pivotal role in helping tackle the climate crisis, boost the clean energy economy and provide communities across the nation with clean, reliable energy,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Dr. Steve Feldgus. “With today’s advancement of nine solar energy projects on public lands, we are taking a significant step towards these efforts and President Biden’s ambitious clean energy goals.”
“The Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to sustainable development means that we are protecting our natural and cultural resources while moving quickly towards our nation’s clean energy goals,” said BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning. “As we continue to review clean energy projects, we are committed to collaborating with states, Tribes and stakeholders to ensure that we are building lasting opportunities to create jobs and stimulate the clean energy economy.