BLM to hold geothermal lease sale October 8, 2024
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RENO, Nev. — In support of the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of creating a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035, the Bureau of Land Management will hold a competitive geothermal lease sale on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, offering 66 parcels totaling roughly 219,250 acres in Churchill, Esmeralda, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, and Washoe counties in Nevada. The sale will be held online at www.energynet.com.
“Public lands are home to tremendous geothermal resources, and the BLM works hard, and coordinates with experts, to identify appropriate locations to offer for development of renewable energy sources such as geothermal. These parcels have gone through initial environmental review and public comment, and have the potential to help us take another step towards our clean energy goals,” said Justin Abernathy, BLM Nevada Deputy State Director of Energy and Minerals.
BLM issues competitive geothermal leases for an initial 10-year period. The leases are a contract allowing the lessee to explore and develop any potential geothermal resource. The leases may be extended if the lessee establishes production or provides proof of diligent exploration. Additional environmental review will take place during processing of any future exploration or development plans, which may include site-specific conditions in addition to the stipulations already attached to the lease at the time of sale.
The open bidding period will begin at 7:00 a.m. Pacific Standard Time on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Each parcel will have its own unique open bidding period, with start and stop times clearly identified on the auction website. The open bidding period for each parcel will run for one hour from start to finish, and bids will only be accepted during a parcel’s open bidding period. Parcels may be viewed online at the BLM ePlanning website now, and at the EnergyNet website approximately 10 business days after the posting of this sale notice on the BLM website.
The sale results will be posted on the www.energynet.com website and the BLM Nevada State Office website. Paper copies are available for purchase at the BLM Nevada State Office Information Access Center. The next geothermal lease sale in Nevada is tentatively scheduled for October of 2025.
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.