Public Land Renewal Energy Development Act of 2013 - Fall

Advisor: Kathleen Callahan

This report outlines the first-year implementation plan for the pilot program established under the Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2013. The Act, introduced in February 2013 by Senator Jon Tester, promotes utility-scale renewable energy development on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), USDA Forest Service lands, and suitable Department of Defense lands. The goal of the pilot program is to determine whether a competitive leasing structure is an effective and fair mechanism for expanding wind and solar energy production on public lands. The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture will review the program’s results to evaluate its efficiency and public fairness.

The Act aligns with broader climate goals, including President Obama’s 2013 Climate Action Plan, by encouraging renewable energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Public lands offer significant potential for solar and wind energy development due to their scale and geographic suitability.

The report provides all necessary guidance for implementing the program, including staffing, budgeting, a master calendar, and reporting metrics. Existing BLM personnel will manage the program through the National Renewable Energy Coordination Office (RECO) and State RECOs in ten western states. State offices will designate liaisons and analysts, with oversight by a National Performance Review Analyst.

The program includes four pilot sites—two wind and two solar—selected through a competitive leasing process. Quarterly reporting will track progress, financial feasibility, and site suitability, culminating in the announcement of selected sites and a Year One Progress Report. By establishing this structured implementation plan, the program aims to accelerate renewable energy deployment on public lands while ensuring transparency, accountability, and measurable results in the first year.

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