Expansion of Land-Based Wind Energy on Federal Lands Could Power More American Homes
Jan. 14, 2025

Large expanses of land managed by the Bureau of Land Management in states like California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico are suitable for utility solar photovoltaic energy, like this power plant in the Mojave Desert of Southern California. Photo from Getty Images
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, in coordination with the U.S. Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Defense, today released the results of the most comprehensive study of its kind showing that there is significant potential for further expanding renewable energy production on federal lands in the contiguous United States, which could technically support over 875 GW of land-based wind energy capacity. Adding in solar power and geothermal energy potential, that number could produce over 7,700 gigawatts in capacity.