RENO — As part of the Bureau of Land Management’s efforts to support the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal to permit 25 gigawatts of solar, wind, and geothermal production on public lands by 2025, the BLM announced it has leased 33 parcels covering 96,605.5 acres for $1,025,396 in a competitive geothermal lease sale.
The sale offered 45 parcels totaling 134,866.93 acres across Churchill, Esmeralda, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, White Pine, and Washoe counties.
“Issuing geothermal leases is an important piece of the dynamic energy portfolio in Nevada,” said Justin Abernathy, BLM Nevada Deputy State Director of Energy and Minerals. “BLM carefully analyzed these parcels, and this successful lease sale is the initial phase to developing new, clean energy sources.”
The notice of competitive leases and proposed lease stipulations are available online at the BLM Nevada State Office website. Revenues raised from the sale will be shared with the State of Nevada and the counties containing the leased parcels: Esmeralda, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, White Pine, and Washoe counties
Geothermal energy is a renewable resource that generates consistent baseload electricity, running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with minimal carbon emissions.
It is an abundant resource, especially in the West, where BLM has authority to manage geothermal leasing on approximately 245 million acres of public lands, including 104 million acres of U.S. Forest Service lands. In addition to generating electricity, geothermal energy can also be used directly to heat buildings, operate greenhouses, and support aquaculture operations.
The BLM manages vast stretches of public lands that have the potential to make significant contributions to the nation’s clean energy portfolio. To promote the development of these energy sources, BLM leases sites for environmentally sound development of renewable energy.