The Approved Record of Decision for Resource Management Plan Amendments for Utility-Scale Solar Energy Development was issued on December 20th, 2024 — details are available on the BLM's Utility-Scale Solar Energy Development PEIS/RMPA webpage. Relevant information on the 2024 Western Solar Plan and the BLM's Renewable Energy Rule issued in July 2024, is in the process of being updated on this website.

Development Focus Areas (California)

Map of DRECP Solar Development Designations

Development Focus Areas (DFAs) in California are defined as areas within which solar energy development and associated activities are allowable uses, incentivized, and could be streamlined for approval. The DFAs are managed consistent with the regulations at 43 CFR 2800, as amended in 2017. Planning requirements for solar development within DFAs include National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis.

During its NEPA analysis for future renewable energy development in DFAs, the BLM will tier to the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP), as appropriate, in order to streamline the project-level review.

The BLM's Record of Decision (ROD) for the DRECP identified 388,000 acres of BLM-administered lands in California as DFAs. Details on locations of the DFAs and incentives for DFA development are available on the Development Focus Areas page under Areas Available.

For DFAs, BLM California generally follows the regulations and process for issuing grants non-competitively, as described under 43 CFR 2800, specifically 2804.12(a)(b) and (c). Under 43 CFR 2802.10(a), BLM CA may decide to follow a competitive process and issue a lease.