Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan

One of the key regions sought by renewable energy developers is the sparsely populated, but ecologically important Mojave and Colorado/Sonoran Desert area in southeastern California – a vast area covering roughly 22.6 million acres. In addition to the abundant geothermal resources, the area is home to a variety of unique plant and wildlife species. It also has a rich cultural and tribal heritage and is a recreational area for thousands of visitors each year. To protect the area and streamline the permitting process, the California Energy Commission, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Fish and Wildlife Service developed the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) that identifies areas in the desert appropriate for the utility-scale development of geothermal energy projects. DRECP streamlines the permitting process by identifying areas more suitable for development and providing consistent and predictable mitigation requirements. While all projects proposed on public lands are subject to full environmental review requirements, projects can use DRECP data and analysis to help streamline project-specific reviews. Visit the DRECP Frequently Asked Questions for details. The comprehensive plan also provides for the long-term conservation and management of covered species and preserves the natural resources, recreational areas, and scenic values. In 2016, BLM signed its Record of Decision approving the DRECP Land Use Plan Amendment, which covers the 10 million acres of BLM-managed lands in the DRECP Plan Area.