Solar Energy Zones (SEZ) & BLM Variance Areas, Solar Energy Development Programmatic EIS (PEIS), DRECP

Solar Energy Zones (SEZ) & BLM Variance Areas, as defined by the Solar Energy Development Programmatic EIS (PEIS).

These data were downloaded from the Solar Energy Development PEIS Website on 11/25/2013 and clipped to the DRECP study area.

Source: http://solareis.anl.gov/documents/dpeis/maps/shape/Draft_Solar_PEIS_Core_Shapefile_data.zip


Summary of included datasets:

1) Solar Energy Zone (SEZ)
This dataset approximates areas available for utility-grade solar energy development under the Solar Energy Zone Alternative of the Solar Energy Development Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS). Refer to the Solar Energy Development PEIS for more details.

2) BLM Variance Areas
To accommodate the flexibility described in BLM’s program objectives, the program alternative allows for responsible utility-scale solar development outside of SEZs. The BLM proposes to identify lands outside of proposed exclusion areas and SEZs as variance areas for utility-scale solar energy development. Variance areas would be open to application but would require developers to adhere to the proposed variance process (detailed in Section 2.2.2.3.1 of this Final Solar PEIS). Variances may be needed in the near term because the lands identified as SEZs might be insufficient to accommodate demand for utility-scale solar development or may not have access to adequate transmission capacity to facilitate such development. In addition, there might be market, technological, or site-specific factors that make a project appropriate in a non-SEZ area. (Source: Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for Solar Energy Development in Six Southwestern States, Executive Summary)


For questions regarding these data or the Solar Energy Development PEIS, please refer to the final solar PEIS at http://solareis.anl.gov/documents/fpeis/index.cfm, or contact the Bureau of Land Management.