Why is the Solar Energy Development Programmatic EIS Needed?
The DOE proposes to develop and implement a solar energy deployment program within the EERE Solar Energy Technologies Program that would establish environmental policies and mitigation strategies to be considered in making decisions on whether to fund projects or guarantee loans for the deployment of solar energy projects on BLM-administered lands or other Federal, State, tribal, or private lands. The BLM would establish its own environmental policies and mitigation strategies to use when making decisions on whether to issue rights-of-way for utility-scale solar energy development projects on public lands administered by the BLM. Federal laws and regulations require the federal government to evaluate the effects of its actions on the environment and to consider alternative courses of action. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321), as amended, specifies when an environmental impact statement (EIS) must be prepared. NEPA requires that an EIS be prepared for
