With the double goal of promoting responsible development of solar and wind energy on public lands and ensuring that U.S. taxpayers receive fair market value for such development, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has amended its regulations governing leases of rights-of-way issued under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Mineral Leasing Act (MLA).
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The final amendments are intended to advance President Obama’s goal of approving at least 20,000 megawatts (MW) of new renewable energy capacity on federal lands by 2020. As of the end of fiscal year 2015, the BLM reviewed and approved 60 projects capable of generating over 15,000 MW of power.