LETS GOO!!! 🚨🚨🚨
BLM adopts categorical exclusion for geothermal exploration drilling!!!
This will let geothermal companies avoid multiple NEPA reviews.
Some quick first reactions: 🧵
Apr 16, 2024 · 1:23 AM UTC
BLM is using authority under the FRA to adopt a categorical exclusion from another federal agency rather than create an entirely new exclusion.
This allows BLM to adopt the CE faster but may lose some specificity over which actions are covered.
blm.gov/press-release/blm-ad…
Specifically BLM is adopting CEs from:
-the US Forest Service (36 CFR § 220.6)
-The US Navy (32 C.F.R. § 775.6)
These exclusions seem very good but the details may end up mattering.
It's important that all geothermal exploration activities are excluded to ensure all approaches to geothermal development are supported.
But this looks like a really big deal!!
A categorical exclusion for geothermal exploration has been one of @IFP's top recommendations for almost two years!
Congrats to the folks at @BLMNational for getting this done!