Renewable Energy on BLM Public Lands in Utah
Geothermal, wind, and solar power projects and transmission lines
Banner image: Fervo Energy Cape Geothermal power project (under construction), and Milford Wind project, Beaver County, Utah.
Introduction
General locations of geothermal, wind, solar, and renewable energy transmission line projects on BLM Utah public lands.
Since January 2021, BLM Utah has approved 12 renewable energy projects on public lands (3 solar, 3 geothermal, 2 wind, and 4 gen-ties), which contributed to BLM exceeding its national goal to permit 25 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2025. Overall, BLM has permitted clean energy projects on public lands with a total capacity of more than 33 gigawatts – enough to power more than 15 million homes. This year BLM also issued a final Renewable Energy Rule that will lower consumer energy costs and the cost of developing solar and wind projects, improve project application processes, create jobs, and incentivize developers to continue responsibly developing solar and wind projects on public lands.
Geothermal Energy: Utah is home to abundant geothermal resources, including the Roosevelt Hot Springs – Blundell Phase I project, which has been operational since 1982 and is Utah's first geothermal development on public lands. Recently, the Fervo Cape Geothermal Power Project was approved and is set to generate up to two gigawatts of baseload power. Other notable geothermal projects in operation include Sulphurdale, Cove Fort and Roosevelt Hot Springs, and Blundell Phase II.
Wind Energy: BLM Utah has made progress in wind energy, particularly through the Milford Wind Corridor, which features 165 turbines with a total capacity of 306 MW, making it the state’s largest wind project. Increasing interest in wind testing suggests potential for further development on public lands.
Solar Energy: BLM Utah has established Solar Energy Zones (SEZs) like Milford Flats South, which was leased in 2022 and has the potential to produce around 600 MW. The Escalante Valley and Wah Wah Valley SEZs is also ready to support solar energy development. Moreover, land outside these SEZs is attracting interest for development due to its proximity to transmission lines.
Transmission and Generation Tie (Gen-Tie) Lines: These critical transmission lines connect renewable energy projects to the electrical grid, enabling efficient electricity flow and integration of renewable resources. Approximately 17 miles of gen-tie lines have been authorized across public lands in Utah to enhance the state’s clean energy infrastructure
Geothermal
Bailey Mountain Geothermal Exploration Project
Ormat Nevada, Inc. is proposing to construct, operate, and maintain the Bailey Mountain Geothermal Exploration Project in Beaver County, Utah. This project will drill up to 20 geothermal wells. The wells will be located within federal geothermal leases on public lands managed by the BLM. The area of interest for the project encompasses approximately 1,885 acres.
Fervo Cape Geothermal Power Project
If fully developed, the project will cover approximately 631 acres, with about 148 acres on public lands. Up to 29 geothermal exploration wells would be drilled and tested within the federal geothermal leases. The project could produce up to 2 gigawatts of clean energy if the advanced technology Fervo Energy is pioneering operates as expected, enough to power over two million homes.
Rodatherm Geothermal Test Bed
Rodatherm Energy Corporation has a proposed commercial pilot project, which would determine whether an advanced geothermal generation facility is commercially viable at this location. The project would operate for approximately 12 months to determine the commercial viability of the geothermal resources within the lease areas; after this, it could potentially be combined with future commercial operations.
Wind Energy
Milford Wind Corridor Phases I & II
The Milford Wind Corridor is currently the only operational wind energy development project on public lands in Utah. The project was developed in two phases. Construction began in November 2008, and the first phase became operational in November 2009, featuring 97 wind turbines with a combined capacity of 204 MW. The second phase started in May 2011, adding 68 additional turbines and contributing an extra 102 MW of capacity. This brings the total capacity of the Milford Wind Corridor to 306 MW, marking a significant achievement in the state's renewable energy landscape.
Solar Energy
Milford Flats South Solar Energy Zone
In 2022, 4,836 acres of the 6,252-acre Milford Flats South SEZ were offered and leased. The leased parcels were acquired by the same entity and have since become the Minersville Solar Project, projected to generate approximately 600 MW of solar energy.
Escalante Valley Solar Energy Zone
The 6,533-acre Escalante Valley SEZ has been identified as suitable for utility-scale solar energy development, with the potential to support between 500 and 1,000 MW solar energy generation. The Escalante Valley SEZ has not been leased.
Wah Wah Valley Solar Energy Zone
The 5,873 acre Wah Wah Valley SEZ has been identified as suitable for utility-scale solar energy development, with the potential to support between 500 and 900 MW of solar power generation. The Wah Wah Valley SEZ has not been leased.
Interest outside the Solar Energy Zones
There is growing interest in solar energy development outside the designated SEZs in Utah due to the availability of land situated near existing or planned transmission lines. This proximity enhances the feasibility of connecting new solar projects to the electrical grid, encouraging further investment and development in the region's solar potential.
Transmission and Generation Tie (Gen-Tie) Lines
Section 368 Corridors and Local Utility Corridors
The BLM Section 368 corridors in Utah designate pathways for energy and transportation infrastructure, facilitating the development and transmission of both renewable and non-renewable energy resources. Established under the Energy Policy Act of 2005, these corridors streamline the permitting process while minimizing environmental impacts. Additionally, local utility corridors identified in BLM resource management plans across the state further support efficient routing of energy infrastructure. Together, these designations enhance energy reliability, promote economic development, and protect sensitive landscapes in Utah.
Transmission
Cross-Tie 500 KV Transmission Project
A proposed project that would support the transmission of 1,500 MW of both renewable and non-renewable energy from central Utah to east-central Nevada.
Elektron Solar Gen-Tie
This line supports 80 MW of renewable energy development on non-BLM lands. Located south of Rowley in Tooele County, Utah.
Graphite Solar Gen-Tie
This line supports 80 MW of renewable energy development on non-BLM lands. Located in Wellington in Carbon County, Utah.
Hornshadow Collector Line
This line supports 260 MW of renewable energy development on non-BLM lands. Located near Castle Dale in Emery County, Utah.
Iron Springs Gen-Tie
This line supports 80 MW of renewable energy development on non-BLM lands. Located in Iron County, Utah.
Quicksilver Cedar Valley Gen-Tie
This line supports 300 MW of renewable energy development on non-BLM lands. Located south of Eagle Mountain City in Utah County, Utah.
RC Solar Gen-Tie
This line supports 80 MW of renewable energy development on non-BLM lands. Located in Carbon County, Utah.
Rocket Solar Gen-Tie
This line supports 125 MW of renewable energy development on non-BLM lands. Located in Corinne, Box Elder County, Utah.
Three Peaks Gen-Tie
This line supports 80 MW of renewable energy development on non-BLM lands. Located in Iron County, Utah.
Zion Solar NextEra Gen-Tie
This line supports 80 MW of renewable energy development on non-BLM lands. Located near the Three Peaks Substation in Iron County, Utah.
