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.

Variance Concurrence (if applicable)

Click on the steps in the diagram to learn more

On the basis of a thorough evaluation of the information provided by an applicant and the input of Federal, State, and local government agencies, tribes, and the public, the BLM will determine whether it is appropriate to continue to process, or to deny, a right-of-way (ROW) application submitted through the variance process.

Variance evaluations will be conducted and documented at the BLM State and field office levels.
To ensure a consistent application of the variance process, all ROW applications in variance areas that are determined to be appropriate for continued processing will be submitted by the BLM State Director to the BLM Washington Office for the Director's concurrence (as stated in the 2012 Western Solar Plan, Section B.5.6).

Additional procedures for issuing solar energy ROW grants in variance areas were identified in the 2012 Western Solar Plan.