Under the proposed Western Solar Plan by the Biden administration, 31 million acres of federal public lands across 11 states could be opened up for solar energy development. This plan aims to expand the solar industry’s footprint while simplifying the permitting and regulatory processes. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is set to release the regulatory roadmap in the Federal Register on Aug. 30, with potential implementation before the end of the year.
The plan, which updates BLM’s 2012 solar regulatory guidelines, designates 31 million acres for solar development out of the 162 million acres reviewed. Development will be limited to sites within 15 miles of existing or planned transmission lines on “previously disturbed” lands. This approach aims to streamline the application process by avoiding potential conflicts with environmental protections.
BLM has already approved nine solar energy projects on federal public lands since 2023, along with 13 geothermal projects and 18 projects involving power plant interconnect lines. These projects are expected to generate 29 gigawatts of power, surpassing the agency’s goal of permitting 25 GWs of clean energy projects on public lands by 2025.
According to the Department of Energy’s 2024 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, the solar industry employs nearly 365,000 people, with a workforce growth of 5.3% in 2023. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) projects that the domestic solar industry workforce will double to over 500,000 within the next decade.
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