Solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, and hydroelectric power are considered renewable energy resources. Wind energy produces electrical energy through the use of large wind turbines. Solar power refers to energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electrical energy. Geothermal energy is derived from the heat stored in the interior of Earth. Biomass energy is the burning or use of organic materials as a source of energy. Hydroelectric power refers to the production of electrical power through the use of falling or flowing water. Wind, solar, biomass, and hydroelectric facilities are processed through the lands and realty program and authorized under Title V of FLPMA as ROW actions. Geothermal actions are considered a fluid leasable mineral and the BLM processes those actions according to the provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act.
BLM policy is to encourage the development of renewable energy in acceptable areas. In addition, Executive Order 13212 instructs the BLM “to expedite projects that will increase the production, transmission, or conservation of energy.” As demand has increased for clean and viable energy to power the Nation, consideration of renewable energy sources on BLM-administered land has become a necessary component of land management planning.
In March 2009, the Secretary of the Interior issued a secretarial order making the production, development, and delivery of renewable energy on public land a top priority for the DOI. In addition to making renewable energy production a top priority for the department, the secretarial order established an energy and climate change task force with the goal of furthering the renewable energy agenda and identifying specific zones on public lands where the DOI can facilitate a rapid and responsible move to large-scale production of solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass energy.
In cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the BLM assessed renewable energy resources on BLM-administered land in the western United States, including Wyoming (BLM and DOE 2003). The BLM reviewed the potential for concentrated solar power, photovoltaic, wind, biomass, and geothermal energy on DOI, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and USFS lands in the West. Additional programmatic-level documents for wind, geothermal, and solar energy (the draft solar Programmatic EIS is under development) describe development potential, policies, and BMPs for renewable energy resources on public lands. Development of renewable energy resources on public lands follows policy and BMPs identified in these Programmatic EISs and other resource-specific policy and guidance.
Based on current policy direction and advances in technology, there is potential for renewable energy development in the Planning Area during the life of this RMP. The following paragraphs discuss resource potential and the affected environment for all types of renewable energy resources in the Planning Area. Wind energy has the greatest potential for development in the Planning Area and is discussed in more detail than other renewable resources.
In 2005, the BLM completed a Programmatic EIS for a Wind Energy Development Program for the western United States (BLM 2005a). The ROD for this Programmatic EIS amended the current RMPs in the Planning Area by implementing programmatic policies and BMPs for wind-energy development in the Planning Area. IM 2009-043 (BLM 2008g) provides additional guidance for wind-energy development on BLM-administered land. The BLM issues ROWs for wind-energy projects for specific sites for meteorological towers, sites for meteorological towers and a project area (for the purpose of excluding other wind energy ROWs while site testing and monitoring is being completed), and for full wind-energy development.
The BLM Wind Energy Programmatic EIS determined which areas on BLM-administered lands have high (Classes 4 to 7), medium (Class 3), or low (Classes 1 and 2) potential for wind-energy development based on their wind power classifications (BLM 2005a). The BLM uses NREL wind power classifications to identify wind resource potential based on wind power density at 50 meters above ground level. Class 4 to 7 wind resources are generally considered to be economically developable with current technology. Class 3 wind resources are expected to become more economical when low-wind-speed turbines, which are currently in development, become available. In some areas, a Class 3 wind resource could be economical using existing technology, depending on project-specific financing and incentives (BLM 2005a). Wind resource potential in the Planning Area varies from poor to superb (Table 3–41).
Table 3.41. Wind-energy Potential by Wind Power Class in the Planning Area
| Wind Power Class | Resource Potential | Wind Speed (miles per hour) | Acres inPlanning Area | Percent of Planning Area |
| 1 | Poor | 0 to 12.5 | 2,094,034 | 66 |
| 2 | Marginal | 12.5 to 14.3 | 792,733 | 25 |
| 3 | Fair | 14.3 to 15.7 | 209,126 | 7 |
| 4 | Good | 15.7 to 16.8 | 47,544 | 1 |
| 5 | Excellent | 16.8 to 17.9 | 17,777 | 1 |
| 6 | Outstanding | 17.9 to 19.7 | 13,500 | Less than 1 |
| 7 | Superb | Greater than 19.7 | 15,100 | Less than 1 |
| Source: BLM 2005a Note: The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has validated the estimates; however, the numbers are just estimates and should be confirmed by direct measurement. | ||||
In addition to wind power classifications, other factors influence the potential for wind-energy development in the Planning Area. Proximity to transmission lines to transfer energy produced at wind-energy sites influence the potential for wind-energy facilities. Adverse impacts to other resources and resource programs also affect the potential for wind-energy development in the Planning Area. Large wind turbines affect the visual landscape and can be considered a visual intrusion. Another key factor affecting wind-energy development potential in the Planning Area is the presence of special designations (e.g., ACECs and National Historic and Scenic Trails and WSAs) that are excluded from wind-energy development through the Wind Energy Programmatic EIS (BLM 2005a).
There are concentrated areas of medium (Class 3) to high (Class 4 through 7) wind potential in the south, southwest, and southeast portions of the Planning Area (Map 46). There are other areas of medium to high wind potential in the northern portion of the Planning Area around Cody along the Absaroka Mountain Front and McCullough Peaks area. The Absaroka Mountain Front area is close to major transmission lines that could be used to distribute wind energy.
Applications for ROW grants may be submitted for one of the following types of wind-energy projects:
Site-specific wind energy site testing and monitoring ROW grant for individual meteorological towers and instrumentation facilities with a term limited to 3 years.
Wind energy site testing and monitoring ROW grant for a larger project area, with a term of 3 years that may be renewed, consistent with 43 CFR 2807.22 and the provisions of IM 006-216 (BLM 2006a) beyond the initial three-year term.
Long-term commercial wind-energy development ROW grant with a term not limited by the regulations but usually in the range of 30 to 35 years.
There are no current or pending ROW authorizations for wind energy facilities in the Planning Area. If meteorological data confirm wind resource potential along the Absaroka Mountain Front, this area could be a viable site for wind-energy development because there is major transmission infrastructure nearby. Given the current policy direction for renewable energy and the wind resources present in the Planning Area, it is likely that there will be wind-energy development during the life of this RMP. However, the BLM does not anticipate widespread wind-energy development in the Planning Area.
The BLM currently processes solar energy ROW applications for lands under its Solar Energy Development Policy in IM No. 2007-097 (BLM 2007d). The U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program, and the BLM are preparing a Solar Energy Development Programmatic EIS to assess environmental impacts associated with development and implementation of agency-specific programs that would facilitate environmentally responsible utility-scale solar energy development on public land in six western states (Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah). The Solar Energy Development Programmatic EIS does not include Wyoming. However, the BLM would likely apply policy direction, BMPs, mitigation, and other management to solar energy projects in Wyoming.
There are no solar facilities or pending applications for solar facilities in the Planning Area. Based on the findings of the BLM Renewable Resource Assessment Project (BLM and DOE 2003), there are no locations in the Planning Area that receive six or more kilowatt hours per square meter per day of solar insolation. As a result, the potential for development of solar resources in the Planning Area is not likely.
Biomass power is obtained from the energy in plants and plant-derived materials, such as food crops and grassy and woody plants, residues from agriculture or forestry, and the organic component of municipal and industrial wastes. Biomass can be used for direct heating (e.g., burning wood in a fireplace or wood stove) and for generating electricity, or it can be converted directly into liquid fuels to meet transportation energy needs.
There are no biomass facilities and no pending applications for biomass facilities in the Planning Area. The potential for biomass energy facilities in the Planning Area is low because of low precipitation, a short growing season, allocation of grasslands resources to livestock grazing, and minimal availability of commercial forestland.
Hydroelectric power is generated through use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. Hydroelectric power is one of the most widespread forms of renewable energy throughout the world; however, its application is limited to the presence of flowing waterbodies of sufficient size to support economically viable development. Management of riparian and aquatic resources present additional constraints on hydroelectric development. There is no specific policy guidance or direction for the development of hydroelectric facilities on BLM-administered land as a renewable energy resource.
The BOR operates the Buffalo Bill Dam and Reservoir in the Planning Area near Cody. The dam produces hydroelectric power that is transmitted into a Western Area Power Administration transmission line. The BOR also operates Yellowtail Dam and Reservoir on the Wyoming-Montana border, which produces hydroelectric power.
New major hydroelectric power sources in the Planning Area would require construction of a new dam and reservoir, which is not likely because the only suitable site in the Bighorn Basin is in Clarks Fork Canyon. A dam and reservoir in this location could affect the WSR section of the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River north of Cody. There are no other known localities for major hydroelectric power production in the Planning Area.
The BLM has not received applications for hydroelectric power authorizations in the Planning Area on BLM-administered land, and it is not likely that any additional hydroelectric facilities would be developed in the future. However, there could be a need for new electrical transmission lines that serve hydroelectric turbines on non-BLM-administered land.
Geothermal resources are typically underground reservoirs of hot water or steam beneath the surface of Earth. Geothermal energy is produced when this steam or heat is used to turn a turbine to create electrical energy. Geothermal steam and hot water naturally discharge at Earth’s surface in the form of hot springs, geysers, mud pots, or steam vents. Geothermal resources also include subsurface areas of hot, dry rock.
The Final Programmatic EIS for Geothermal Leasing in the Western United States evaluates various alternatives for allocating lands as being closed or available for geothermal leasing and analyzes stipulations to protect sensitive resources. The ROD for the Geothermal Programmatic EIS (BLM and USFS 2008a) amended existing plans to facilitate geothermal leasing on federal mineral estate in the Planning Area. The ROD for the Geothermal Programmatic EIS allocates acreages as open and closed, as listed in Table 3–42.
Table 3.42. Acres of Federal Mineral Estate Allocated as Open and Closed in the Record of Decision for Geothermal Leasing in Western States
| Field Office | Land Use Plan Amended | Acres Open to Geothermal Leasing | Acres Closed to Geothermal Leasing |
| Cody | Cody RMP | 722,834 | 39,317 |
| Worland | Grass Creek RMP Washakie RMP | 1,537,942 | 91,803 |
| Source: BLM and USFS 2008b RMP Resource Management Plan | |||
Although geothermal resources are present throughout the Bighorn Basin, there are no active or pending federal geothermal leases in the Planning Area.
According to the Geothermal Programmatic EIS, there is potential in the Bighorn Basin for geothermal resource development; however, this potential is likely low to moderate because of the quality of geothermal resources and the backlog of geothermal resource development in other western states (BLM and USFS 2008a). Policy direction, advances in technology, and increased interest in renewable energy resources could lead to minimal geothermal resource development in the Planning Area during the life of this RMP.
For more information on geothermal resources, see Section 3.2.4 Leasable Minerals – Geothermal in this RMP and EIS and the Reasonable Foreseeable Development Scenario for Geothermal, Bighorn Basin Planning Area (BLM 2009j).
One of the most notable management challenges associated with renewable energy resources is the ability to transmit power generated by renewable energy sources to the grid and to deliver it to the load centers where the energy is needed. Capacity to transmit new power out of the Planning Area appears to be limited unless existing lines are upgraded or new transmission lines built. Like wind turbines, power transmission lines include vertical structures, but also introduce a linear feature that can be particularly noticeable on a visual horizon on certain landscapes. Adverse impacts to other resources and resource uses caused by the development of renewable energy facilities can create additional management challenges.