The US Interior Department has finalized updates to its Western Solar Plan, paving the way for expanded industrial solar energy development across 31.7 million acres of federal public lands in the West, Casper Star Tribune reports.
This includes 3.8 million acres in Wyoming, a significant portion of the land overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the state.
The updated plan aims to advance President Joe Biden’s renewable energy goals, addressing climate change and fostering sustainable energy development. In Wyoming, suitable lands exclude sage grouse core areas, ungulate migration corridors, and other sensitive, unindustrialized regions, according to federal officials.
Although 31.7 million acres have been designated as suitable for solar development, the Interior Department estimates only about 700,000 acres across the West will likely be developed. Each project will undergo a rigorous review process, including opportunities for public input.
“With an updated Western Solar Plan, created with extensive input from the public, the Department will ensure the responsible development of solar energy across the West for decades to come,” said outgoing Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in a statement.
Wyoming’s solar energy landscape has been relatively nascent, with two commercial-scale facilities in operation: Sweetwater Solar near Green River and Sage Solar in Lincoln County. Proposed projects, including the 150-megawatt South Cheyenne Solar LLC and the 440-megawatt Dinosolar west of Bar Nunn, highlight the growing interest in solar development within the state.
However, the expansion comes with challenges. The inclusion of lands with invasive plant species like cheatgrass in the study area has raised concerns among environmental experts. Critics argue this approach could disrupt wildlife habitats and migration corridors, complicating conservation efforts.
Conservation groups cautiously welcomed the plan, viewing it as a step toward balancing renewable energy development with environmental protection.
“The Western Solar Plan will play a crucial role in securing our country’s energy independence and security over the coming decade,” said Josh Axelrod, Senior Policy Advocate for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
The Nature Conservancy also expressed support, emphasizing Wyoming’s potential for low-impact solar development.
“There’s an abundance of low-impact spots for the development of solar energy in Wyoming — more than enough to meet market demand,” said Justin Loyka, Wyoming Energy Program Director for the conservancy.
Despite the optimism, some experts and stakeholders have raised concerns. Dustin Mulvaney, an Environmental Studies Professor at San José State University, described the plan as “haphazard” and potentially prone to legal challenges.
“Expanding solar energy development to other western states introduces new risks,” Mulvaney said.
He pointed to issues like habitat disruption and the spread of invasive species.
The plan’s approach to land selection, including the criteria for disqualifying certain areas, has sparked debates about its potential impact on landscapes and ecosystems.
The BLM has approved approximately 33,000 megawatts of clean energy projects on public lands since 2021, significantly outpacing Wyoming’s total electrical generation capacity of around 10,000 megawatts. The finalized Western Solar Plan positions Wyoming and other western states to play a critical role in the nation’s renewable energy transition.
