The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comments as it begins the variance process for the proposed Star Range Solar Project, a major early step in the application process for solar energy development that allows the BLM to fully consider the project under the National Environmental Policy Act. A 15-day comment period will open May 24, 2023, and close June 8, 2023.
The proposed Star Range Solar Project includes the construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning of photovoltaic solar modules and associated facilities that could generate up to 600 megawatts of electricity on approximately 4,288 acres of public land managed by the BLM. The project would be developed southwest of Milford in Beaver County, Utah. More information about the proposed project can be found on BLM’s ePlanning website at: https://eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2024494/510.
Variance areas are BLM-administered lands in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and California that are outside of solar energy zones and not otherwise excluded under the 2012 Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision.
As part of the public comment process, the BLM will hold a virtual meeting for the Star Range Solar Project on May 24, 2023, at 1 p.m. MT via Zoom. That meeting is expected to last about 30 minutes and will provide an opportunity for members of the public to learn about and offer input on the proposed project. BLM staff will provide a short introduction followed by presentations from the project applicant. Interested parties can register for the meeting at https://blm.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_JB0VS5N9T7O4MNCgqu0NJA. The meeting will also be recorded and posted later to the BLM Utah YouTube channel.
More information on the project, including maps, can be reviewed on the ePlanning site.
Those interested may also submit comments via email to bcox@blm.gov or via mail to the Cedar City Field Office, Attention: Brooklynn Cox, 176 East D.L. Sargent Drive, Cedar City, UT 84721.
The BLM manages vast stretches of public lands that have the potential to make significant contributions to the nation’s renewable energy portfolio. To promote the development of these energy sources, the BLM provides sites for environmentally sound development of renewable energy on public lands. The efficient deployment of renewable energy from our nation’s public lands is crucial in achieving the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035, as well as Congress’ direction in the Energy Act of 2020 to permit 25 gigawatts of solar, wind, and geothermal production on public lands no later than 2025.
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