The Western Solar Plan, initiated by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM), represents a landmark strategy to promote responsible large-scale solar energy development on public lands in six southwestern states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Launched in 2012 and formalized through the Western Solar Plan Record of Decision, this framework aims to facilitate utility-scale solar projects while prioritizing environmental protections and minimizing conflicts with other land uses. While this program is focused on energy development on public lands, many ranches for sale adjacent to BLM land offer the same alternative energy development opportunities, providing landowners with substantial annual income opportunities. When it comes to energy development, cooperation between private landowners and public land entities is imperative for things like access, water use, easements, transmission lines, and the overall viability of the project as a whole.
Objectives of the Western Solar Plan
The Western Solar Plan aims to streamline solar development on federal lands, addressing the dual imperatives of advancing clean energy and protecting sensitive ecosystems. It was designed to:
1. Accelerate Renewable Energy Development: Provide a clear and structured pathway to develop solar power projects, contributing to national clean energy goals and supporting state-level renewable energy mandates.
2. Protect Key Resources and Minimize Conflicts: By identifying specific areas suitable for solar development, the plan seeks to protect habitats, cultural resources, and other critical public lands.
3. Create a Coordinated, Efficient Permitting Process: The plan’s programmatic approach simplifies permitting, reducing time and cost barriers for solar developers, and includes standardized environmental impact assessments.
Designated Solar Energy Zones (SEZs)
The BLM identified 19 Solar Energy Zones (SEZs) across the six states, covering approximately 285,000 acres. These SEZs are deemed ideal for solar development based on factors like high solar energy potential, minimal wildlife impacts, and proximity to transmission infrastructure. By focusing development within these zones, the BLM aims to channel solar energy expansion away from ecologically or culturally sensitive areas. Many of the identified zones include or are in close proximity to current western ranches for sale. You can fine a map of these SEZs here.
Variance Process for Development Outside SEZs
Recognizing that certain projects may be viable outside SEZs, the Western Solar Plan includes a variance process. Developers interested in building on non-SEZ BLM lands can apply for a variance, which will undergo rigorous environmental and suitability assessments. This process enables flexibility in meeting renewable energy goals without compromising environmental standards.
Key Environmental Protections and Land Use Considerations
Environmental protection is a cornerstone of the Western Solar Plan. BLM applies stringent siting criteria and environmental assessments to all projects within SEZs. This includes:
• Habitat and Wildlife Protections: By avoiding sensitive habitats, particularly for threatened and endangered species, the plan minimizes ecological impacts. For example, SEZs are chosen to avoid critical desert tortoise habitats and migratory bird pathways.
• Water Resource Management: Solar development, particularly in arid southwestern regions, requires careful water resource management. Projects are required to minimize water use and protect nearby water sources.
• Cultural and Historic Site Safeguards: The BLM has also prioritized protecting sites of cultural or historical significance, working in consultation with Native American tribes and other stakeholders to avoid impacting these lands.
Benefits and Challenges of the Western Solar Plan
Benefits:
1. Boosts Clean Energy Generation: The Western Solar Plan has significantly increased utility-scale solar capacity on BLM lands, contributing to emissions reductions and energy security.
2. Economic Opportunities: Solar development under the plan has created construction and operational jobs in rural areas, bringing economic benefits to communities.
3. Protects High-Value Lands: By guiding development into SEZs, the plan balances clean energy expansion with conservation, preserving high-value environmental and cultural areas.
Challenges:
1. Stakeholder Concerns: Some stakeholders, including environmental groups and Native American tribes, have raised concerns over land use changes, particularly for projects outside SEZs.
2. Transmission Infrastructure: Expanding solar capacity requires transmission upgrades and expansion, which presents both logistical and financial challenges.
3. Visual Impacts: Large scale coal farms can alter landscapes, affecting visual athletics of the land.
The Future of Solar on BLM Lands
The Western Solar Plan is an evolving framework. In 2020, the BLM updated the plan under the Solar Energy Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS), expanding SEZs, and streamlining the variance process to further facilitate renewable energy deployment. As renewable energy demands increase, future adjustments to SEZs, environmental assessments, and policy adaptations will likely emerge, supporting a dynamic balance between solar energy expansion and land stewardship.
Conclusion
The BLM’s Western Solar Plan reflects a pioneering approach to advancing solar energy on public lands, contributing meaningfully to national and regional clean energy goals while safeguarding the integrity of public lands. With continued support and adaptation, the Western Solar Plan can serve as a model for integrating renewable energy expansion with responsible land management. In our ever evolving world of ranch real estate, it is important to understand future opportunities and uses for western ranches. Contact Harrigan Land Company, if you’d like to learn more about alternative energy options on western ranches for sale.
