BLM Announces ANPR On Competitive Bidding For Development Leases On Public Lands

On December 29, 2011, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced the publication of an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) seeking public comment on BLM's intent to establish an efficient competitive bidding system for wind and solar energy leases on public lands.  The comment period closes on February 27, 2012.

The BLM believes that a competitive process would capture fair market value for the use of public lands, as required under Section 504(g) of FLPMA (43 U.S.C. § 1764(g)), and ensure fair access to leasing opportunities for renewable energy development.  The subsequent proposed rule would establish competitive bidding procedures for lands within designated solar and wind energy development leasing areas, define qualifications for potential bidders, and structure the financial arrangements necessary for the process.