The Bureau of Land Management is moving ahead with plans to lease public lands in the Milford Flats South Solar Energy Zone, a low-conflict zone for solar development west of Beaver, Utah that was established under the Western Solar Plan. If fully developed, the parcels could produce hundreds of megawatts of clean energy, and the BLM estimates that construction would provide at least 216 jobs and $11.2 million in income to those employed, with operations providing at least 15 jobs and $0.4 million in income.

BLM has published for public review and comment a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) that identifies parcels covering approximately 5,564 acres of public land for lease within the zone and analyzes the impacts and benefits from solar development there. After the BLM completes the environmental review, the agency will hold a competitive lease auction later this year for rights to develop parcels in the zone.

Based on the information in the Western Solar Plan and an initial review of the EA, it appears that the Milford Flats South zone offers the opportunity for efficient, low-conflict solar development. The groups quoted below look forward to more detailed review of the EA and continued engagement with BLM through the agency’s process.

The following statements are in response to today’s announcement:

“Protecting America’s public lands means doing all we can to reduce the impacts of energy development.  The Milford Flats South zone offers the opportunity for faster permitting and low-conflict solar development, growing Utah’s renewable energy economy while protecting natural resources. This is the way energy development should happen on public lands— developing in pre-evaluated areas that ensure more certainty for all.”  --- Alex Daue, assistant director for energy and climate, The Wilderness Society

“One of the biggest threats facing our public lands is climate change. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the American Southwest, including Utah, will be ground zero for some of climate change’s most significant impacts to North America. Not only do we have to adapt to how a changing climate affects wildlife, waterways, and our air, we also must move toward cleaner sources of energy. The BLM advancing a lease sale in the Milford Flats South zone offers an opportunity for Utah to play a continued role in lessening our dependence on fossil fuels while protecting wildlands in our state.” --- Luke Henry, Wildlands Field Attorney, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance

“Utah is blessed with incredible natural resources, from our vibrant waterways and wetlands, to abundant native wildlife and the crucial habitats that support it. The opportunity for solar development in the Milford Flats South zone allows our state to protect our natural heritage and important wildlife areas while also tapping into this vast renewable energy potential.” --- Allison Jones, Director, Wild Utah Project.

“America is blessed with abundant renewable energy resources that for the most part remain untapped. Pre-screened zones like Milford Flats South provide an opportunity to harness Utah’s amazing solar energy resources in a responsible manner. These efforts by the BLM help build our local economies and our clean energy future, while also protecting our spectacular landscapes.” --- Sarah Wright, Executive Director, Utah Clean Energy