Doing Renewable Energy Right
Renewable Energy Resources
- Renewables and Public Lands
- Guided Development
- Transmission
- Saving Energy Saves Lands
Along with state, private and tribal lands, the public lands harbor excellent renewable resources and have a role to play in meeting our nation’s energy and climate needs. Renewable energy projects must avoid impairing the ability of public lands to address the causes and consequences of global warming by sequestering carbon and facilitating ecological adaptation. Wherever development does occur on our public lands, developers should avoid adverse effects and minimize, or in some cases offset, unavoidable impacts.
The Wilderness Society strives for these principles to be met for all renewable energy projects by engaging on many levels with a broad array of stakeholders and encouraging our members and conservation partners to participate as well.
Solar Energy
Factsheet on solar energy and public lands
BLM is currently conducting a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for solar energy development on public lands. When completed, the PEIS will determine what areas are open and closed to development, and may include best management practices and mitigation strategies.
As part of the PEIS process, BLM has also identified “Solar Energy Study Areas,” sites the agency thinks would be most appropriate for solar development on public lands.
There are already solar energy projects proposed on public lands in several of the western states. Follow this link to find information on solar projects that The Wilderness Society is engaging in.
Wind Energy
Factsheet on wind energy and public lands
BLM completed a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for wind energy development on public lands in 2005. Proposed wind projects on public lands can tier to the PEIS during the environmental review process.
Follow this link to find information on wind projects that The Wilderness Society is engaging in.
Geothermal Energy
Factsheet on geothermal energy and public lands
BLM completed a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for geothermal leasing on public lands in the western states in 2008. The PEIS identified lands that are open and closed to geothermal leasing, as well as best management practices and conditions on leases to protect the many resources on public lands.
o BLM PEIS website
o TWS comments on PEIS
Contacts
Chase Huntley
Policy Advisor, Energy and Climate Change
202-429-7431
EMAIL
Alex Daue
Renewable Energy Coordinator, BLM Action Center
303-650-5818 x 108
EMAIL
Pam Eaton
Deputy Vice President, Public Lands Campaign
303-650-5818 x 103
EMAIL
Jennifer Dickson
Communications Manager, BLM Action Center
202-556-2933
EMAIL
