Solar Power Plant Permitting
Siting and permitting a solar power plant is no small feat. Land use, access to transmission, and water rights must be considered, and securing access to a suitable site is only the first step in the siting process. SEIA supports the use of federal land for solar project development and is actively engaged in the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) process for crafting a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) for solar energy.
Recent News
On Feb. 27, 2012, SEIA filed comments in response to BLM's Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which would institute a competitive process for solar and wind development on public lands. SEIA opposes competitive bidding because it would likely increase the costs of developing utility-scale solar projects on public lands, thereby decreasing the number of solar power plants that are built. SEIA is, however, supportive of a leasing system for solar, rather than the current right-of-way system.
On Feb. 7, 2012, SEIA filed comments in response to the Bureau of Land Management's Notice of Intent to Prepare Environmental Impact Statements to Incorporate Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Measures into Land Use Plans and Land Use Management Plans.
In response to the Supplement to the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Solar, SEIA submitted two sets of comments to BLM on Jan. 27, 2012. Industry comments filed jointly by SEIA and the Large-scale Solar Association encourage BLM to maintain maximum flexibility for pending solar applications and future development of solar power plants outside of designated zones. SEIA also collaborated on comments with a number of industry and environmental partners , in which we call for the rapid designation of new solar energy zones and encourage BLM to work closely with transmission planning entities to ensure that new solar generation and transmission align to effectively deliver clean energy to homes and businesses across the Southwest.
On Nov. 9, 2011, SEIA submitted comments to the National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) regarding plans for future solar installations on its property in Nevada. While all three of the alternatives NNSA and DOE analyzed in the Draft EIS include solar energy development, SEIA argued that NNSA and DOE should select the Expanded Operations Alternative because it maximizes the solar energy resources available onsite. Additionally, NNSA would 1) support development of several commercial solar power facilities with a maximum combined generating capacity of 1,000 MW; and 2) construct a 5-MW PV solar power facility at the main security building.
On June 27, 2011, SEIA, in conjunction with the American Wind Energy Association, submitted comments in response to the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Interim Temporary Final Rule and Proposed Rule on the Segregation of Lands for Renewable Energy. These rules provide BLM the authority to temporarily segregate land in pending or future wind and solar energy generation right-of-way applications from mining claims.
On May 19, 2011, SEIA submitted comments in response to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) draft Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance. While the Guidance is intended for the wind industry, SEIA is concerned that this Guidance has been or will be applied to solar power projects. SEIA is eager to work with the USFWS to create guidance that is tailored to the solar industry and simultaneously facilitates solar power project development and protects eagles and their habitat.
On May 2, 2011, SEIA, in conjunction with the Large-scale Solar Association and the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies, filed comments in response to the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement.
SEIA Resources
Public Filings
- SEIA Comments on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' New Renewable Generation Nationwide Permits A & B (4.18.11)
- SEIA Testimony on S. 2921, the California Desert Protection Act of 2010 - 5/20/10
- Public Comments on California Draft Best Management Practies: Desert Renewable Energy Projects - 11/20/09 (LSA and SEIA)
- Public Comments on BLM Solar Energy Study Areas - 9/14/09 (LSA, SEIA, and CEERT)
Fact Sheets
- Utility-Scale Solar Power: Responsible Land Use
- Supplemental Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Solar Energy Development
- BLM 2011 Priority Renewable Energy Projects
- BLM 2012 Priority Renewable Energy Projects
- Permitted and Pending Utility-Scale Solar Power Projects on Public Lands
- Utility-Scale Solar Power Plants
- Utility-Scale Solar Power Plant Permitting on Public Lands
- Habitat Conservation
- Water Use
- Utility-Scale Solar Projects List
- Competitive Leasing
Other Siting Resources
Bureau of Land Management
