Revised Plan Provides a Framework to Balance Solar Development and Conservation on Public Lands
The Bureau of Land Management’s revised Western Solar Plan offers clearer guidelines for responsible solar siting.
Today the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the latest version of the Western Solar Plan, which will determine where and how utility-scale PV solar is sited and permitted on public lands across 11 states. The updated proposal improves on the initial draft and strikes a clearer balance between solar energy development and wildlife conservation.
“More than 300 species of birds use America’s public lands during their life cycle, and many of them face significant range loss and extinction unless we combat the climate crisis with a rapid development of clean energy. The BLM’s revised Western Solar Plan benefits both climate and conservation by clarifying where solar PV development should and should not go on public lands, and how it should be developed to protect important cultural and natural resources,” said Garry George, senior director of climate strategy at the National Audubon Society. “We look forward to fully reviewing the document to provide more input to BLM.”
Audubon filed detailed comments and joined a conservation coalition recommending improvements to BLM’s Solar PEIS with a focus on avoiding and minimizing impacts to birds by prioritizing project development on degraded lands that have little conservation value, as well as siting close to transmission to avoid long electrical distribution lines as much as possible.
Audubon scientists found that two-thirds of North America’s bird species are threatened with extinction from climate change. Transitioning to clean energy is needed to avoid the worst climate impacts for birds and people. More than 300 bird species use America’s public lands during their life cycle, including Greater Sage-Grouse, Sandhill Cranes, and Burrowing Owls.
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About Audubon:
The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give Audubon an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, Audubon believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive.
Contact: Megan Moriarty, megan.moriarty@audubon.org