BLM announces geothermal lease sale results in Nevada
RENO, Nev. – The Bureau of Land Management Nevada State Office today held a competitive geothermal lease sale, offering 66 parcels totaling 219,130.24 acres across Churchill, Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Washoe, and White Pine counties. In total, 64 parcels covering 217,866.15 acres sold for $7,864,140.00.
“Geothermal leases are one component of the dynamic energy portfolio in Nevada,” said Justin Abernathy, BLM Nevada Deputy State Director for Energy and Minerals. “These parcels were carefully analyzed through the NEPA process, and this successful sale takes the nation another step closer to achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035.”
The Notice of Competitive Lease Sale and proposed lease stipulations are available online at the BLM Nevada State Office website.
Geothermal energy is a renewable resource that generates baseload electricity with minimal carbon emissions. It is an abundant resource, especially in the West, where the BLM has authority to manage geothermal leasing on approximately 245 million acres of public lands, including 104 million acres of U.S. Forest Service lands. Geothermal energy can also be used to heat buildings, operate greenhouses, and support aquaculture operations, and is critical to meeting President Biden’s ambitious goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050.
As of September 2024, the Biden-Harris administration approved 41 renewable energy projects on public lands (10 solar, 13 geothermal, and 18 gen-ties) and exceeded the goal to permit 25 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2025. In total, the BLM has permitted clean energy projects on public lands with a total capacity of approximately 29 gigawatts of power – enough to power more than 12 million homes.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.