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The Bureau of Land Management approved two large-scale solar farms in California yesterday, as part of a big push by the Biden administration to permit at least 25,000 megawatts of onshore renewable energy projects by 2025. The permits are also "a reminder that the Biden administration still has tools to combat climate change even if it can’t pass the president’s 'Build Back Better' bill," Sammy Roth points out in the Los Angeles Times.
Together, the developments will cover 1,300 acres of federal land and produce up to 465 megawatts of electricity—enough to power more than 130,000 homes, according to Secretary Deb Haaland. The BLM announced it also plans to approve a third large-scale solar project, which will cover about 2,700 acres and have a 500-MW capacity—enough to power roughly 140,000 homes, early next year.
The three solar farms will be the first inside of a special permitting zone in California, called the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) area, which was created under the Obama administration and covers 10.8 million acres of federal land. The land in the DRECP was analyzed for development under Obama, and sensitive wildlife habitat within the area was identified and protected, allowing for expedited permitting.
Haaland praised the DRECP as a model for development of other renewables on public lands, saying “It really does take a hard look at conservation... They do whatever they can to ensure that these species are protected."
The permit approvals come on the heels of an announcement earlier this week that the BLM plans to make 90,000 acres of public land in Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada available for solar development. The land is also in Obama-era solar energy zones, which will allow for expedited permitting if the land is leased by developers.
BLM to focus on rebuilding in 2022
A leaked letter by bureau director Tracy Stone-Manning shows the agency will focus on fixing staffing shortage next year. "Our teams aren’t robust enough at present to handle the oncoming workload and expectations," she wrote. "It’s past time to rebuild."
Other priorities on the list include: conservation, restoration, building a clean energy future and managing recreation. Notably absent? Any mention of reforming the oil and gas leasing system.
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Our national parks critically need the Build Back Better Act. They are on the frontlines of climate change and desperately need the bill’s funding for adaptation."
