BLM Proposes Opening 31 Million Acres of Public Lands to Solar Development

The Biden administration has released a proposal that would open tens of millions of acres in 11 Western states to solar development, a move that has clean energy advocates celebrating and environmental groups concerned.

2 minute read

September 2, 2024, 5:00 AM PDT

By Mary Hammon @marykhammon


Open Space

Skye Watts / Shutterstock

A new proposal from the Bureau of Land Management would open 31 million acres of public lands in 11 Western states to solar development, according to an article in the Daily Caller. The “Western Solar Plan”  comes after the Biden administration announced the prohibition of oil and gas activity on 28 million acres of public lands in Alaska, the same article reports. While the Western Solar Plan does not authorize any specific solar projects, its purpose is to “drive responsible solar development to locations with fewer potential conflicts while helping the nation transition to a clean energy economy,” said BLM Director Tracy-Stone Manning.

“The plan is in line with Biden administration priorities such as transitioning the U.S. to a 100% carbon-free electricity grid by 2035, fighting climate change and pursuing ‘environmental justice,” writes Daily Caller contributor Nick Pope. Clean energy advocates are celebrating the move, but conservation groups are less enthusiastic. According to a press release from the Center for Biological Diversity, the 31 million acres in the plan is a 40 percent increase over the agency’s draft plan. While the conservation organization acknowledges that large-scale solar’s is a vital component of a clean energy transition, it expressed disappointment and concern at the amount of sensitive public lands and endangered wildlife habitat put at risk. 

The plan is now open for a 30-day protest period for people who participated in the proposal planning process.

Thursday, August 29, 2024 in The Daily Caller

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Entrance sign for San Jose-Santa Clara Regional wastewater treatment facility.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action

As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

45 seconds ago - * A Placemaking Journal

Rendering of Penrose Roundabout in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts

Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.

2 hours ago - WHYY

Green painted bike lane with striped buffer between car lane and curb parking lane.

Why Bike Lanes Are Good: An Explainer for the US Transportation Secretary

Sean Duffy says there’s no evidence that bike lanes have benefits. Streetsblog — and federal agencies’ own data — beg to differ.

4 hours ago - Streetsblog USA