Biden Administration Expands Solar Access on Federal Lands

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has proposed the Western Solar Plan, which opens over 31 million acres of public lands across 11 states for utility-scale solar energy development, marking a significant increase from an earlier proposal of 22 million acres. The plan aims to expedite the permitting process while steering development away from sensitive habitats and cultural resources, though environmental groups express concerns about the potential impacts on wildlife. The updated plan includes five additional states and is seen as a critical element of the Biden administration's strategy to achieve a carbon-free electricity grid by 2035. While the BLM has already exceeded its 25-gigawatt renewable energy goal, critics argue that fossil fuel projects still dominate public land access. The plan is now open for a 30-day protest period, allowing stakeholders to raise concerns. Overall, this initiative reflects ongoing efforts to balance clean energy expansion with environmental conservation.