BLM sets aside lands for review of proposed Expedition Solar Project
PRINEVILLE, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management is temporarily setting aside roughly 4,037 acres of public lands associated with the proposed Expedition Solar Project near Redmond in Deschutes County. This means that the lands will be withdrawn from the public land laws for two years, including location under the Mining Law, subject to valid existing rights, while the BLM reviews the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project.
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 withdrawal notice will publish in tomorrow’s Federal Register.
For more information, please contact Faith Simitz, BLM Prineville District Realty Specialist, at 541-416-6783 or fsimitz@blm.gov.
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.