The Bureau of Land Management said the move is in line with executive orders and will help the nation “achieve American Energy Dominance.”
IDAHO, USA — The Bureau of Land Management announced on Friday that it is approving nine parcels of Idaho land for competitive geothermal leasing, covering approximately 24,355 acres where lessees could potentially develop geothermal resources.
The decision records encompass 20,615 acres in Elmore and Washington counties and 3,740 acres in Bonneville County. The parcels will be included in Idaho’s Sept. 9 Geothermal Lease Sale, which will be conducted online through EnergyNet.
Revenue from each leased parcel will be distributed according to a three-way split: 25% to the U.S. Treasury, 25% to the county where the lease is located and 50% to Idaho. The state will allocate 90% of its portion to the state renewable energy resources fund and 10% to counties for road construction and maintenance, and public school support.
The BLM said the geothermal lease sales align with Executive Order 14154, “Unleashing American Energy,” signed Jan. 20, and will “help meet the energy needs of U.S. citizens and solidify the nation as a global energy leader long into the future and achieve American Energy Dominance.”
The executive order states it is “in the national interest to unleash America’s affordable and reliable energy and natural resources” to restore American prosperity and rebuild economic and military security.
The executive order cites burdensome regulations that have “impeded the development” of energy resources and “inflicted high energy costs upon our citizens.”