As part of a broader White House initiative aimed at combating climate change using federal land, the Bureau of Land Management is currently investigating the potential for utility-scale solar development in Montana. The agency is inviting individuals to provide their input on the viability of such projects until the end of February.
The BLM administers more than eight million acres of land in Montana, making it the state’s second-largest federal land manager. More commonly associated with oil and gas leases than solar development, the agency’s January announcement that it’s seeking public input on Montana-based solar projects is reflective of President Joe Biden’s broader climate agenda.
At present, there are no solar projects situated in Montana on BLM land. However, the bureau has granted approval for 41 solar projects in various states, mainly in the Southwest, which have the potential to generate over nine gigawatts of energy.
The BLM is using the plan that guided those projects, the Western Solar Plan, as a starting point to explore utility-scale solar in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon and Washington as part of a larger Interior Department directive to put another 25 gigawatts of renewable energy projects sited on public land in the pipeline by 2025. Twenty-five gigawatts is roughly enough electricity to power five million homes for a year.
Earlier this month, agency representatives organized two public meetings with the aim of gathering public feedback regarding the potential appearance of large-scale solar projects in Montana. The agency is particularly interested in receiving input on the appropriate definition of “utility scale” and the criteria that should be employed to assess a site’s suitability for solar projects. These criteria may include factors such as proximity to existing energy infrastructure and the existence of environmentally delicate areas.
During a meticulously planned meeting that took place at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center on Feb. 2, Leslie Hill, an attorney from the Department of Justice, who is working alongside the BLM on its solar expansion, stated that there are currently no predetermined outcomes.
Hill emphasized the significance of thorough planning and maintaining a balance between the BLM’s renewable projects and its obligation to assess the effects on ecological, cultural, and historic resources. She clarified that this phase aims to gather feedback on a broader programmatic level rather than focusing on individual projects.
While the majority of the participants at the Billings meeting showed support for the agency’s dedication to solar exploration, Doug Kary, a former lawmaker from Billings, expressed doubt regarding the agency’s capability to achieve its 2025 goal. Kary firmly opposed the idea of using incentives to incentivize renewable energy developers’ involvement, stating “absolutely not.”
Kary stated that since you already plan to offer them exceptionally low prices for leasing the land, there should be no additional incentives. If they intend to sell the energy, they should be responsible for covering the costs.
Kary firmly expressed, “From my perspective, your timeline is completely unrealistic and far from achievable. It simply isn’t going to happen.”
Participants also focused on various aspects of the proposal, including public health, the country’s shift towards a fairer clean energy economy, labor market effects, recreational implications, and impacts on wildlife.
Lori Byron, representing Montana Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate, expressed her endorsement for providing incentives for the advancement of solar energy projects. She emphasized the significance of this support, particularly within a state where solar and renewable energy often face limited favoritism or incentives.
Byron stated that the enhancement of renewable energy will have a positive impact on the well-being of children in the short run by reducing the presence of harmful particles in the air caused by the combustion of fossil fuels. Furthermore, he emphasized that this transition will be beneficial for children as it will generate new employment opportunities, and having a family with a stable income is a crucial factor in determining good health.
Nels Johnson, a senior adviser in The Nature Conservancy’s renewable energy program, proposed that the agency should carefully consider the enduring consequences of solar development.
He stated that while constructing them is one matter, we must also consider the decommissioning of some of them in the next 20, 30, or 40 years and be prepared with a plan.
Johnson further emphasized the need for the BLM to prioritize the preservation of the natural environment and local communities. Additionally, he proposed reducing the minimum requirement for utility-scale projects to just five megawatts.
According to Brian Hires, the spokesperson for BLM, in a subsequent email to Montana Free Press, he stated that the amount of land required for generating one megawatt of energy ranges from five to 10 acres, depending on the project’s details. For a facility with a capacity of 200 megawatts, which qualifies as “utility scale” as per the Western Solar Plan, Hires mentioned that it would necessitate between 1,000 and 4,000 acres.
During the meeting on February 2nd, Jake Schwaller from the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers expressed his complete support for the actions of the BLM. However, he requested some reassurances from the agency regarding their consideration of ungulate winter range, as well as the potential negative effects on public land access and outdoor recreation economies in their analysis.
Rebecca Riedl, the Montana field representative for Laborer’s International Union of North America, expressed the union’s support for “responsible renewable energies.” However, she emphasized the importance of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) guaranteeing that lease-holders adhere to the prevailing wage and prioritize local labor pools when it comes to construction projects.
On February 13, the online platform hosted the second public meeting.
The comment period for the initial scoping phase of the project closes March 1, and the agency plans to release a draft Environmental Impact Statement later this summer, followed by a final EIS in the spring of 2024. If all goes as planned, the BLM will issue a record of decision by the summer of 2024 and start accepting bids shortly thereafter.
Editor’s Note: The Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers provided additional information to Montana Free Press on Feb. 28 regarding its position on federal energy development. BHA’s goal in engaging with the BLM is to provide habitat- and access-related recommendations “if and when” renewable energy projects move forward on public lands, the organization said.
