Project Name: 2026 Geothermal Lease Sale

NEPA Number: DOI-BLM-CA-N020-2026-0041-DNA

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Project Information

NEPA Number

DOI-BLM-CA-N020-2026-0041-DNA
Project Name

2026 Geothermal Lease Sale
Project Type

DNA
NEPA Status

In Progress - Analysis & Document Preparation
Lead Office

Applegate Field Office
Last Updated

09/11/2026 - 09:08 AM

Project Description

The California State Office (CASO) will conduct a Competitive Geothermal Lease Sale in October 2026. The lands being considered for this lease sale in the statewide preliminary parcel list have a total of 45,400 acres divided into individual parcels; these lands were nominated by actors within the geothermal industry. There is one nominated parcel (CA-2026-11-0112) located within the Applegate Field Office (AGFO), covering an area of approximately 2,118 acres in Modoc County, California. The AGFO reviewed the parcel to verify conformance with the 2008 Surprise Resource Management Plan (RMP). It was determined that the lands within the nominated parcel are open for fluid mineral leasing.

If a lease is issued and future lease operations are proposed, the AGFO would conduct additional project-specific National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis for any submitted applications to permit activities to explore, confirm and/or develop a geothermal resource to production. Furthermore, lease notices and stipulations would be attached to the offered lease parcel to mitigate impacts of any future geothermal actions within the parcel. In addition to the stipulations and notices attached to the parcel, conditions of approval and best management practices would be applied in any future decision documents related to any future NEPA analysis.

Federal government leases are issued through a competitive public bidding process. Parcels not sold at the competitive sale become available for noncompetitive leasing for a 2-year period. Per regulations at 43 CFR § 3206.12, the smallest lease we will issue is 640 acres, or all public lands available for leasing in the section, whichever is less. 

Geothermal leases are issued for a 10-year period and are active for as long thereafter as the diligent exploration work requirements are met or exceeded, and geothermal energy is produced. If a lessee does not make annual rental payments, does not comply with the terms and conditions of the lease, fails to meet the minimum work requirements, fails to produce geothermal energy, or relinquishes the lease then ownership of the minerals reverts to the federal government and the lease may be re-offered.

For the purposes of the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106, this project is classified as: "4. Preliminary determination of no adverse effect to historic properties.”

Project Location

City	State/Territory	Zip Code	County(ies)
Cedarville	California	96104	Modoc

Application Information

Program

Renewable Energy
Sub-Program

Geothermal

Project Dates

Start Date

3/3/2026

Project Office Information

Lead Office

Applegate Field Office
Offices

Applegate FO

Contacts

Contact 1 Name

Megan Banwarth
Contact 1 Email

[email protected]
Contact 1 Phone

(530) 279-2820