Montana News
BLM outlines plans for solar energy development
The Bureau of Land Management’s proposal would make over 31 million acres of federal public land available for solar development applications. It identifies areas where large, utility-scale, solar installations could be built. The lands span across 11 western states, including Montana.
- Duration:
- 1m
- Broadcast on:
- 03 Sep 2024
- Audio Format:
- mp3
With Montana News, I'm Eleanor Smith. Federal land managers have released a new plan outlining areas for solar development in the western United States. Montana Public Radio's Ellis Julin has more. The Bureau of Land Management's proposal would make over 31 million acres of federal public land available for solar development applications. It identifies areas where large utility-scale solar installations could be built. The acres span across 11 western states, including Montana. The proposal only outlines the areas where a developer could apply to build solar. It does not authorize new solar development projects. From Montana, the proposal includes BLM land in Glacier, Liberty, and Sheridan counties. The BLM says the plan would not allow solar in important habitat for big game or any threatened and endangered species. But wildlife advocacy groups like the Center for Biological Diversity have criticized the proposal's environmental analysis for opening up too much undeveloped land, saying it would harm vulnerable species. With the publication of the proposed plan, there is now a 30-day protest period where anyone who commented on the previous drafts can voice their objections. In Missoula, I'm Ellis Julin.