On December 29th, 2011, the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) began soliciting comments on a new plan to establish a competitive bidding process for leasing public lands for solar and wind development.

The public comment period for the proposed rulemaking will be open until February 27th, 2011. The BLM states that a competitive process would enhance its ability to get a fair market value for the use of public lands, which it is required to do under federal law, as well as to ensure fair access to leasing opportunities for renewable energy development.

"The renewable energy resources on America's public lands are enormous," said BLM Director Bob Abbey.

“The competitive options we are evaluating are part of our commitment to improving the process by which we provide access for responsible renewable energy development while providing a fair return for the use of the public lands."

BLM seeking input on structure of program

If approved, the new rules will establish this competitive bidding procedures for lands within designated solar and wind energy development areas, as well as defining bidder qualifications and setting up financial arrangements necessary for the process.

The agency states that it is seeking specific input on a number of areas relating to program structure and implementation, including whether or not the process should apply to public lands outside of designated solar and wind leasing areas, what competitive bidding procedures it should use, what appropriate terms are, and other details.

2012-01-03| Courtesy: U.S. Bureau of Land Management | solarserver.com © Heindl Server GmbH

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