Sunita Somvanshi
America’s public lands could soon power millions more homes with clean energy. A new study shows these lands could generate enough renewable energy to transform how we use electricity at home and work.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory found that using just a tiny fraction of federal land – about half of one percent – could generate between 51 to 84 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2035. The clean energy already approved for these lands could power 15 million homes, and that’s just the beginning.
“The nation’s growing energy demand can be met with cleaner, cheaper, more resilient power,” says Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm. This points to more stable energy costs for families and businesses.
The study found three main ways to capture this energy:
- Solar panels that could provide 5,750 gigawatts of power
- Wind turbines generating 875 gigawatts
- Geothermal energy offering 1,105 gigawatts of power
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Right now, only 4% of America’s renewable energy comes from federal lands, while 12% of oil production happens there. This shows there’s plenty of room to grow while still protecting land for wildlife, recreation, and other uses.
“By working together, we can ensure the responsible development of clean energy across our lands that will help create good paying jobs, lower energy costs for consumers, and support our goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035,” says Nada Wolff Culver from the Bureau of Land Management.
The changes matter for everyday life. As more homes are built and businesses grow, including advanced manufacturing and data centers, we need more power. Clean energy from federal lands could help meet this demand while keeping electricity costs stable.
The study carefully considered other land uses like conservation and recreation. Success means finding the right balance between producing clean energy and protecting these public spaces for everyone to enjoy.
