Bureau of Land Management
Solar Energy Permitting and Program Resources
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for linear facility routes for the Sapphire Project, a proposed 117-megawatt photovoltaic solar energy and battery storage project that would be located on private lands and approximately 40 acres of public lands in eastern Riverside County. The public lands within the project site are designated as Development Focus Area lands in the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan.
The BLM held public meetings on October 23 and 24, 2024. The BLM is seeking public comments on the draft EA, and the public comment period will close November 4, 2024.
To view the Draft EA, submit comments, and view additional project information & documents, visit the Sapphire Linear Facility Routes page of the BLM National NEPA Register (ePlanning).
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed Easley Renewable Energy Project in Riverside County, California. If approved, the project could generate up to 400 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic solar energy and would include 650 MW of battery storage capacity. The project would be located on approximately 2,700 acres of BLM-managed public lands and 990 acres of private lands. The BLM lands were designated as a development focus area in the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan.
The BLM is seeking public comments on the draft EA, and the public comment period will close September 20, 2024. In addition, the BLM will hold a virtual public meeting on September 10 from 5-6 pm Pacific Time (register on Zoom) and a separate in-person public meeting on September 11 from 4:30-5:30 pm at the Palm Springs Field Office, 1201 Bird Center Dr., Palm Springs, CA 92262.
For additional information, to view the Draft EA, and to submit comments, visit the Easley Solar page of the BLM National NEPA Register (ePlanning).
On April 15, 2024, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that the Sunlight Storage II Battery Energy Storage System is now fully operational. The battery energy storage system adds an additional 300 megawatts (MW) of energy storage to the Desert Sunlight Solar Farm in eastern Riverside County, California, bringing the total energy storage capacity of the project to 530 MW. The battery storage system is in an area analyzed and identified as suitable for renewable energy development as part of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Land Use Plan Amendment.
For additional information, visit the Sunlight Storage II BESS page on the BLM National NEPA Register (ePlanning) and view the April 15, 2024, BLM press release.
On January 26, 2024, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a Notice to Proceed authorizing Avangrid to begin construction of the Camino Solar Project, a 44-megawatt solar photovoltaic facility that will be located on 233 acres of public lands and 150 acres of adjoining private land in Kern County, California.
The project is expected to include a 34.5-kV underground electrical collector line and connect to the existing Southern California Edison Whirlwind Substation through the Manzana Wind Substation and associated 220 kV generation-tie line. The project is in an area scientifically analyzed and identified as suitable for renewable energy development as part of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan.
For additional information, refer to the BLM press release and the Camino Solar Project page of the BLM National NEPA Register (ePlanning).
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has initiated environmental analysis for the proposed Sapphire Project, which could generate and store up to 117 megawatts of photovoltaic solar energy. The project would be located in eastern Riverside County and would include approximately 41 acres of public lands for access roads, facilities, and lines to transmit the power. The planned solar panel arrays, battery energy storage, and related facilities would sit on about 1,082 acres of adjoining private land.
For more information and to view project documents, including the Plan of Development, visit the Sapphire Linear Facility Routes page on the BLM National NEPA Register (ePlanning).
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced that two solar projects located in Riverside County, California, are now fully operational:
To approve these projects, the BLM worked extensively with Tribal governments, local communities, state regulators, industry, and other federal agencies. The BLM National NEPA Register provides additional information, including National Environmental Policy Act documents, on the project pages for Oberon Solar and Arlington Solar.
On September 15, 2023, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) opened a public scoping comment period to gather input for an environmental assessment for the proposed Easley Solar project in Riverside County, California. The comment period closes October 22, 2023.
The BLM plans to hold an in-person public meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 4, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at UCR Palm Desert, Room: B114‑117, located at 75080 Frank Sinatra Dr., Palm Desert, CA 92211. Virtual attendance is also possible; please register to attend virtually.
IP Easley, a subsidiary of Intersect Power LLC, proposes to construct, operate, maintain, and eventually decommission the Easley Renewable Energy Project on approximately 2,700 acres of BLM-managed public lands and 990 acres of private lands north of Desert Center on I-10. If approved, the project could generate and store up to 400 megawatts of photovoltaic solar energy and deliver renewable electricity to the statewide transmission grid.
The proposed Easley Solar Project would be constructed on Development Focus Area-designated lands in the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan, a landscape-level plan that streamlines renewable energy development, while conserving unique and valuable desert ecosystems and providing outdoor recreation opportunities. The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan is focused on 10.8 million acres of public lands in the desert regions of seven California counties — Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and San Diego.
The Plan of Development may be reviewed through the Easley Solar project page of the BLM National NEPA Register, which is also the preferred way to submit written comments by October 22, 2023. Comments may also be emailed to [email protected] or mailed/hand delivered to the Palm Springs – South Coast Field Office at 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262.
On August 16, 2022, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that the 230-megawatt Desert Sunlight Battery Energy Storage System is fully operational. The project is on 94 acres of BLM-managed public lands near Desert Center in Riverside County, California.
The project provides 230 megawatts of energy storage and increases grid integration of renewable electricity produced by the Desert Sunlight Solar Farm. This battery energy storage project will help relieve the demand on the electrical grid by storing renewable energy generated from the Desert Sunlight Solar Farm and allow for consistent energy delivery during peak hours when the system may not be generating energy.
The battery storage system is in an area analyzed and identified as suitable for renewable energy development as part of BLM's Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) Land Use Plan Amendment. The DRECP is a landscape-level plan focused on 10.8 million acres of public lands in the desert regions of seven California counties that streamlines renewable energy development while conserving unique and valuable desert ecosystems and providing outdoor recreation opportunities. To approve these sites for renewable energy projects, the Department of the Interior and the BLM work with Tribal governments, local communities, state regulators, industry, and other federal agencies.
In 2021, Sunlight Solar LLC received authorization from the BLM to construct the Desert Sunlight Battery Energy Storage System within the Desert Sunlight Solar facilities. Additional information is available on the Desert Sunlight Battery Energy Storage System project website on the BLM National NEPA Register.
On January 13, 2022, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved the Oberon Solar Project, which will generate up to 500 megawatts of power and have capacity for 200 megawatts of battery storage. The project will be built on approximately 2,600 acres of BLM-managed public lands near Desert Center in eastern Riverside County.
The decision authorizes a right-of-way for Oberon Solar, LLC to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission a photovoltaic solar facility. The Oberon Solar Project will be located within an area analyzed and identified as suitable for renewable energy development as part of BLM's Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Land Use Plan (DRECP) Amendment.
The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan covers 10.8 million acres of public lands spanning the desert regions of seven California counties and is a landscape-level plan streamlining renewable energy development, while conserving unique and valuable desert ecosystems and providing outdoor recreation opportunities.
The Decision Record, Finding of No New Significant Impacts, Environmental Assessment, and associated documents are available on the Oberon Solar project website on the BLM National NEPA Register. For more information, please contact Brandon Anderson at [email protected].
On December 21, 2021, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced the approval of the Arica and Victory Pass solar projects near Desert Center in eastern Riverside County. These are the first projects to be located within areas identified as suitable for renewable energy development as part of the BLM's Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan.
The BLM's approval authorizes Clearway Energy Group, LLC a right-of-way to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission two separate photovoltaic solar facilities in a reduced footprint to avoid sensitive resources. Combined, the two projects could generate up to 465 megawatts of power with up to 400 megawatts of battery storage.
The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan is focused on 10.8 million acres of public lands in the desert regions of seven California counties and is a landscape-level plan that streamlines renewable energy development, while conserving unique and valuable desert ecosystems and providing outdoor recreation opportunities. To approve these sites for renewable energy projects, the Department of the Interior and the BLM work with Tribal governments, local communities, state regulators, industry and other federal agencies.
The decision record, finding of no new significant impacts, environmental assessment, and associated documents are available on the Arica Solar Project and Victory Pass Solar Project websites on the BLM National NEPA Register. For more information, please contact Brandon Anderson at [email protected].
The Department of the Interior is advancing three solar projects on 5,300 acres of public lands in Riverside County, California.
On August 6, 2021, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) invited public review of the environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed Arica and Victory Pass solar projects, which would construct photovoltaic solar projects that will generate a total of up to 465 megawatts of electricity with up to 400 megawatts of battery storage. The public is invited to attend a virtual public meeting from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 25. Participants must register via Zoom. The public may submit written comments on the issues, potential impacts, alternatives and mitigation measures presented in the Arica and Victory Pass EA by visiting the project website on the BLM National NEPA Register. All substantive comments received by Sept. 6, 2021, will be considered when finalizing the EA.
On August 13, 2021, the BLM invited the public to review the environmental analysis and land use plan amendment for the Oberon solar project, a proposed 500-megwatt photovoltaic solar project on 2,700 acres of public lands near Desert Center in eastern Riverside County. The public is invited to attend a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. Participants must register for the Zoom meeting. The public may submit written comments on the issues, potential impacts, alternatives, and mitigation measures presented in the EA by visiting the Oberon Solar project website on the BLM National NEPA Register. The BLM will consider all substantive comments received by Tuesday, Sept. 14, in finalizing the EA.
The Arica, Victory Pass and Oberon solar projects are proposed for areas identified as suitable for renewable energy development as part of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) is focused on 10.8 million acres of public lands in the desert regions of seven California counties and is a landscape-level plan that streamlines renewable energy development while conserving unique and valuable desert ecosystems and providing outdoor recreation opportunities. The DRECP is a collaborative effort between the BLM, Fish and Wildlife Service, California Energy Commission and California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The Interior Department and the BLM will continue to engage with Tribal governments, local communities, state regulators, industry and other federal agencies as it evaluates these projects.
For further information, please contact Brandon Anderson, BLM project manager, at [email protected].
On May 3, 2021, the BLM signed a Record of Decision (ROD) for the Crimson Solar Project, which will occupy approximately 2,000 acres of BLM-administered lands about 13 miles west of Blythe, in Riverside County, California. The ROD authorizes Sonoran West to construct a 350-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic facility with a 350-MW energy storage system and the necessary ancillary support facilities to generate and deliver power through the Southern California Edison Colorado River Substation.
Although the project application pre-dates the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP), the Crimson Solar Project is located within one of the areas designated for development, known as Development Focus Areas, by the DRECP. Through the DRECP process, the BLM, State of California and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service worked diligently with renewable energy developers, the conservation community, Tribes, local government, and others over several years to identify areas appropriate for renewable energy development and areas that should be conserved.
For additional information about the project, including the ROD, visit the Crimson Solar Project website on the BLM National NEPA Register.
For further information, please contact Miriam Liberatore, BLM project manager, at [email protected].
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office is initiating environmental review and seeking public scoping comments on an environmental analysis and land-use plan amendment for Oberon Solar, a proposed 500-megwatt photovoltaic solar project on 4,700-acres of BLM-managed public lands in eastern Riverside County. IP Land Holdings, LLC, seeks authorization to construct the project, which also includes battery storage and interconnecting power lines.
The environmental assessment will analyze the potential impacts of the proposed solar project on air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, hydrology, socioeconomics and other relevant issues. The proposed project may also require an amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area Plan.
The BLM is seeking public comments on issues, planning criteria, concerns, potential impacts, alternatives, and mitigation measures that should be considered in the analysis. A virtual public scoping meeting is scheduled for April 13, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time. The meeting connection information is below.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84009948080
Webinar ID: 840 0994 8080
Telephone Access: (669) 900-6833
Public scoping comments will be accepted through April 19, 2021. Substantive comments will be used to prepare an environmental analysis, which will provide additional opportunities for public comment.
For more information about the project, including the Notice of Intent published in the Federal Register, and to submit comments, visit the Oberon Solar Project website on the BLM National NEPA Register.
For additional information, please contact the BLM at [email protected]
On February 11, 2021, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area Land Use Plan for the Crimson Solar Project. If approved, a 350-megawatt photovoltaic solar energy generation facility along with the necessary ancillary facilities would be constructed, operated, and eventually decommissioned by Sonoran West Solar Holdings, LLC. The project would be located in eastern Riverside County within the jurisdiction of the BLM Palm Springs South Coast Field Office on approximately 2,500 acres of BLM-adminstered lands within the Riverside East Solar Energy Zone (SEZ) and the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) Development Focus Area (DFA).
Publication of these documents initiated a 30-day protest period and a 60-day Governor's consistency review. The BLM will then work to resolve any protests and issue a record of decision. The Final EIS, along with BLM's preferred alternative and instructions for filing a protest, is available on the BLM National NEPA Register.
For further information, please contact either Miriam Liberatore, BLM project manager, at [email protected] or Michelle Van Der Linden at [email protected].
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently initiated environmental review on two proposed solar projects near Desert Center in eastern Riverside County, California. Arica Solar, LLC, and Victory Pass I, LLC, seek authorization to construct two photovoltaic solar projects on public lands. Each project would be approximately 2,000 acres in size, generate up to 265 MW of electricity with up to 200 MW of battery storage, and be sited entirely on BLM-managed public lands.
The proposed projects would be located within areas analyzed and identified as suitable for renewable energy development as part of BLM's Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Land Use Plan Amendment. Project information and maps are available for the Arica project and for the Victory Pass project. A public scoping meeting was held online on October 21, 2020, and BLM received public comments from October 1, 2020, through November 2, 2020.
The BLM is the lead federal agency for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is the lead agency for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review.
For more information, please contact BLM project manager, Miriam Liberatore, at 541-618-2200 or by email at [email protected].
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved the Camino Solar project in the Antelope Valley, west of Rosemond in Kern County, within the jurisdiction of the BLM's Ridgecrest Field Office. The Record of Decision and Finding of No Significant Impact authorize Aurora Solar LLC a right-of-way to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission a 44-megawatt photovoltaic solar facility on 383 acres of mixed ownership lands (150 acres on private land and 233 acres on BLM-administered land). The Camino Solar project includes associated infrastructure including energy battery storage, a 34.5-kV underground electrical collector line, and access roads that would connect to the existing Manzana Wind Substation. The energy would then be transferred to the Southern California Edison Whirlwind Substation using the existing Manzana Wind 220 kV generation-tie line.
The BLM is the lead federal agency for the National Environmental Policy Act review and Kern County is the lead agency for the California Environmental Quality Act review. A public comment period on the Environmental Assessment for the project was held in February and March. The Decision Record, Finding of No Significant Impact, Environmental Assessment, and associated documents are available through BLM's ePlanning website.
Questions about the project can be sent to Michelle Van Der Linden at [email protected].
The BLM Ridgecrest Field Office is reviewing a right-of-way application for the Camino Solar Project. Aurora Solar LLC seeks to construct and operate the facility in the Antelope Valley, west of Rosamond in Kern County, California. The project would be a 44-megawatt photovoltaic solar facility on 383 acres of mixed ownership lands (150 acres on private land and 233 acres on BLM-administered land). The project includes associated infrastructure including energy storage, a 34.5 kV underground electrical collector line, and access roads that would connect to the existing Manzana Wind substation. The energy would then be transferred to the Southern California Edison Whirlwind Substation using the existing Manzana Wind 220 kV generation-tie line.
The BLM is the lead federal agency for the National Environmental Policy Act review and Kern County is the lead agency for the California Environmental Quality Act review. The Environmental Assessment for the project is available online through ePlanning, or by visiting the Ridgecrest Field Office located at 300 S. Richmond Road in Ridgecrest, CA 93555. Public comments on the project EA were received from February 13, 2020 to March 16, 2020.
Questions about the project can be sent to Michelle Van Der Linden at [email protected].
In September 2019, the Bureau of Land Management published the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) and California Desert Conservation Area Land Use Plan Amendment for the Desert Quartzite Solar Project in eastern Riverside County. The Final EIS/EIR provides a comprehensive analysis of the potential environmental impacts for the proposed Desert Quartzite Solar Project and Land Use Plan Amendment. See the BLM news release for more information.
In January 2020, the BLM issued a Record of Decision approving the project. Project documents can be found on BLM's ePlanning website.
The project, which will produce up to 450 MW encompassing about 2,673 acres of BLM-administered public lands, will include a main generation area, a 230 kV generation-tie line, and ancillary facilities. The BLM was the lead federal agency for the National Environmental Policy Act review, and Riverside County was the lead agency for the California Environmental Quality Act review.
On October 31, 2019, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) and Draft Land Use Plan Amendment (LUP) for the Crimson Solar Project, to be located in eastern Riverside County within the jurisdiction of the BLM Palm Springs South Coast Field Office. Sonoran West Solar Holdings, LLC (Sonoran West) has requested a right of way grant on up to 2,500 acres of BLM-administered lands within the Riverside East Solar Energy Zone to construct, operate, maintain, and decommission a 350-megawatt photovoltaic solar energy generation facility along with the necessary ancillary facilities including up to eight project substations, access roads, operations and maintenance buildings, and lay-down areas.
The EIS/EIR was prepared as a joint federal/state environmental document that analyzes the impacts of the project under both the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The BLM is the lead Federal agency for the NEPA review and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is the lead agency for the CEQA review. The U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are cooperating agencies in this review.
The Draft EIS/EIR, along with the agency-preferred alternative for the Crimson Solar Project, can be viewed on BLM's ePlanning website. Public comments are being accepted on these documents between October 2019 and January 2020.
For further information, please contact either Miriam Liberatore, BLM project manager, at [email protected] (or 541-618-2412) or Sarah K. Webster at [email protected] (or 916-978-4622).