The BLM’s recommendation would open up nearly 7% of the state to solar arrays, but only a tiny portion of that is expected to be developed in the next couple of decades.
, and its preferred choice would make 3.8 million acres in the state available for solar farms. The draft is open for public comment until April 18. All but the least restrictive option, Alternative 1, would bar solar installations on slopes greater than 10%, the EIS states, “to avoid resource impacts such as increased erosion and impacts on cultural resources, surface hydrology, tribal interests, visual resources, and wildlife and wildlife movement.”
“Until such time that cattle grazing under solar panels becomes feasible,” the EIS explains, “grazing activities would likely be excluded from areas developed for utility-scale solar energy production.” The BLM prefers Alternative 3, which would make 6.93% of the state eligible. In addition to the 10% slope maximum, that alternative would require solar plants to locate within 10 miles of existing or planned power lines to avoid building more lines.
She said most BLM land the company is interested in “is arid and does not provide good livestock forage so it is a good multiuse of the area.”
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