BLM adds virtual meeting for public input on potential changes to solar energy program
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Due to substantial public interest, the Bureau of Land Management has added one more virtual session to its series of public scoping meetings seeking input on potential changes to its solar energy program. In total the BLM will have hosted 15 meetings, both virtual and in person, to solicit feedback on its recently announced intent to update the programmatic environmental impact statement for the BLM’s utility-scale solar energy planning. BLM also welcomes written comments.
While feedback is welcome on all aspects of the Notice of Intent, the BLM is especially interested to hear comments related to solar energy development in southern California and southern Nevada, given specific expressed interest in the program in those areas. The newly added virtual session will be held via Zoom on February 14, 2023, from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. Pre-registration is required and can be done at https://argonne.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItc-GvqDMqE5f4koM2Tg5PBKHeRtu3iUI.
The BLM is considering updates to its 2012 Western Solar Plan that included six southwestern states—Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah—and is seeking comment regarding expanding its solar planning to include five additional states: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.
The Notice of Intent to update the BLM’s 2012 solar programmatic environmental impact statement was published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2022, with interested parties invited to submit written feedback or to participate in one of the in-person or virtual public scoping meetings.
The public comment period opened on December 8, 2022 and will remain open until March 1, 2023, which is 15 days after the last public scoping meeting. For the most recent information on these meetings, please visit https://www.blm.gov/2023-solar-programmatic-environmental-impact-statement.
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.