BLM Color Country District Office advances Bailey Mountain Geothermal Project
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CEDAR CITY, Utah — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Cedar City Field Office is authorizing the Bailey Mountain Geothermal Exploration Project that aims to identify geothermal energy resources in Utah to proceed. This decision allows Ormat Nevada, Inc. to construct and operate up to 20 geothermal exploration wells on approximately 1,885 acres of BLM-managed public land in Beaver County, Utah, approximately four miles north of Milford. Geothermal energy development supports the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of creating a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and aligns with Congress’ direction in the Energy Act of 2020 to permit 25 gigawatts of solar, wind, and geothermal production on public lands by 2025.
“Public comments received from state and local governments, environmental groups, and individuals have been overwhelmingly supportive of this project,” said BLM Color Country District Manager Gloria Tibbetts. “This is just one piece of a diverse portfolio of existing and upcoming projects on BLM-managed public lands in this area that have the potential to expand the development of clean renewable energy.”
The proposed wells allow for exploration and would be located within federal geothermal leases on public lands managed by the BLM and leased by Ormat Nevada, Inc. The proposal also includes an application for a right-of-way grant for the improvement and relocation of three access roads associated with the project. If the company finds a viable geothermal resource, then Ormat Nevada Inc. could apply to the BLM for development of the geothermal power plant, initiating BLM to conduct additional reviews. The decision record and finding of no significant impact from the environmental assessment may be found on BLM’s ePlanning website: https://go.usa.gov/xuDGG.
Geothermal was the first type of renewable energy that the BLM approved for production on public lands, with the first project approved in 1978. Today there are 48 operating power plants developing geothermal energy from BLM-managed lands. The BLM manages vast stretches of public lands that have the potential to make significant contributions to the nation’s renewable energy portfolio. To promote our clean energy goals, the BLM provides sites for environmentally sound development of renewable energy on public lands and new transmission routes to connect into the grid. Learn more at https://go.usa.gov/xuKaJ.
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.