The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has proposed a major update to its 2012 Western Solar Plan, opening over 31 million acres of public lands across 11 Western states for solar energy development.

Clean Energy: The proposal coincides with data showing progress in streamlining the solar permitting process, a key obstacle to solar deployment in the U.S. Additionally, the Senate recently advanced the bipartisan Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024, which aims to further ease energy infrastructure approvals.

• The proposed Western Solar Plan moves the U.S. closer to its goal of a 100% clean electricity grid by 2035.
• The BLM has already surpassed its goal of permitting 25 GW of clean energy projects on public lands, with the updated plan supporting additional development.
• The solar industry will now have access to 31 million acres, while fossil fuels still have access to over 80 million acres.

What’s the public’s input? The updated Western Solar Plan, shaped by public input, balances conservation and solar development. The BLM stated that the plan directs development near transmission lines or previously disturbed areas to avoid protected lands, sensitive cultural sites, and key wildlife habitats.

While some environmental groups criticized the January proposal for exposing fragile ecosystems to solar development, The Wilderness Society praised the final rule for advancing renewable energy while safeguarding ecologically critical areas.