The US Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released a list of 19 renewable energy projects deemed priorities for development within the National System of Public Lands in 2011.

The priority list includes nine solar projects, five wind projects, and five geothermal projects throughout the western U.S. The solar projects’ potential output is about 2,673 MW, the wind projects are about 1,024 MW of potential output, and the geothermal projects total about 489 MW.

To be considered a priority project, a company must show the BLM that the project has progressed far enough to formally start the environmental review and public participation process, as well as have the potential to be cleared for approval by the end of 2011. In addition, the projects must be sited in an area that minimizes impacts to the environment. Eight of the 19 projects are located on private land and require BLM authorization for offsite facilities.

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