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The proposed rule would revise the BLM’s regulations for rights-of-way, leasing, and operations related to activities associated with solar and wind energy development.  The Energy Act of 2020 and section 207 of Executive Order 14008 prioritize the Department of the Interior’s need to improve permitting activities and processes to facilitate increased renewable energy permitting and production on public lands.

Statement of Need:

The principal purpose of these amendments is to facilitate responsible solar and wind energy development on public lands managed by the BLM. The rule will adjust acreage rents and capacity fees for solar and wind energy, provide the BLM with more flexibility in how it processes applications for solar and wind energy development inside designated leasing areas, and update agency criteria on prioritizing solar and wind applications. The rule will also make technical changes, corrections, and clarifications to the existing right-of-way regulations.

Summary of the Legal Basis:

30 U.S.C. ch. 23, 43 U.S.C. 1733, 43 U.S.C. 1740, 43 U.S.C. 1763, 30 U.S.C. 185 and 189, Public Law 109-58 Division Z, Public Law 116-260, E.O. 14008.