ACP Statement on BLM Western Solar PEIS

WASHINGTON DC, August 29, 2024 — The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released the following statement today from Chief Policy Officer Frank Macchiarola after the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced its final draft Western Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) which defines areas available for and excluded from solar development on public lands in 11 Western states:  

“ACP appreciates the time BLM has dedicated to reviewing the permitting process for solar development and recognizes the flexibility added into the project design features and additional acres made available in the final plan. However, we remain concerned by the exclusion of some areas which could otherwise allow for development in ways compatible with resource protection.  

“The stakes are high as energy demand rises and we work toward a clean energy future. Inclusion of federal lands for development is a critical component in the path forward. ACP looks forward to continuing to work with BLM and all stakeholders to reduce unnecessary regulatory hurdles that hamper development of clean energy resources on public lands.”