The Department of the Interior has unveiled a series of initiatives in 2022 aimed at propelling the clean energy movement forward. These measures are part of its dedication to fostering a transition to renewable energy, in line with the Biden-Harris administration's ambitious goal. The objective is to authorize 25 gigawatts of renewable energy projects on public lands by 2025. This target represents a threefold increase in the number of projects approved to date and is projected to supply electricity to over 10 million homes.
Positioning renewable energy projects on public lands offers numerous advantages. It not only boosts local economies and opens up employment possibilities for a wide range of opportunities, but also provides extra income for state and local authorities. Additionally, these initiatives are vital in the fight against climate change, safeguarding our most vulnerable lands, wildlife habitats, and cultural treasures.
What is the Process for Estimating the Renewable Energy Potential of Public Land?
The valuation process for public land varies depending on the type of renewable energy resource of interest, and many factors affect a specific property's suitability for renewable energy projects. Valuations are informed by many factors, such as the geotechnical condition of the land, availability of the specific renewable energy resource, potential energy production capacity, the market value of the energy produced, and the estimated revenue generated from the project.
How can Public Landowners Receive Offers for Energy Development Projects?
Traditionally, government property owners have received offers to lease their properties (land, rooftops) to renewable energy developers through public RFP's and online auctions. However, this is not the most effective way to get a variety of offers and the most value from their property.
Public landowners can receive offers for energy development projects by advertising available land sites, typically through a competitive bidding process, where interested parties submit proposals to lease public land to develop energy projects such as solar or wind farms. Public landowners select offers to lease land based on a variety of factors, including the proposed energy production capacity, the environmental impact of the project, and the financial viability of the proposal.
Government property owners can list their properties for lease for free on LandGate's marketplace for exposure to a unique network of nationwide renewable energy developers actively sourcing new sites and planning projects using LandGate's platform and marketplace. By generating multiple competitive offers, public property owners can be sure they're getting the most value from their land.
What Does the LandGate Listing Process Entail for Public Land?
The process for listing public land for lease for renewable energy development typically involves a public announcement of the availability of the land, followed by a period of time for interested parties to submit proposals for development after the listing is published. LandGate's marketplace can accommodate various produrement rules, such as managed bids and RFP's. The proposals are then evaluated by the government agency, which may conduct site visits and environmental assessments before selecting a proposal to move forward with.
What Types of Land are Needed for Different Energy Resources?
Different types of land are needed for different renewable energy projects. For example, solar energy projects typically require flat, sunny land with few obstructions, while wind energy projects require large open acreage located in windy areas with few obstructions. EV charging stations are ideally located on land adjacent to primary roadways with sufficient electricity grid connectivity, and carbon credits are most valuable on properties with mature tree canopies.
What Makes a Property 'Good' for Renewable Energy?
Location is the most important factor impacting whether or not a site is suitable for renewable energy leasing. For example, states and communities with high renewable energy incentives are generally considered more valuable for renewable energy projects compared to areas with low incentives. Additionally, parcels near existing electricity infrastructure, such as transmission lines and substations, are typically be more valuable for energy development than a similar parcel without such infrastructure. Additionally, other factors such as environmental impact, permitting requirements, and public opinion can also play a significant role in determining the value of a particular energy development project.
There are many community and economic benefits of renewable energy development on public lands. From job creation, clean energy production, and revenue generation, the benefits of leasing government property for clean energy provide advantages for both the local community and the government agency themselves. To learn more about LandGate's no-cost solutions for government property owners, schedule a complementary call with our team:
