Local opinion: Arizona's solar energy future should include smart siting on public lands

Climate change is front and center in Arizona. But so are solutions. From scorching heat waves to dwindling water supplies to growing risks of extreme wildfire, the impacts of a changing climate are threatening not only our communities, but also our public lands. At the same time, public lands can be part of the solution to the climate crisis — but only if federal agencies take a holistic approach to managing public lands to ensure they play their best role in addressing and adapting to climate change. In Arizona, one of those roles is smart from the start renewable energy.

At the heart of Arizona’s response to the climate crisis lies the vast potential of solar energy. With its abundant sunshine and vast public lands, Arizona is uniquely positioned to become a leader in responsible solar energy production. Recent efforts from the Bureau of Land Management can help make that a reality.

The recently finalized BLM Renewable Energy Rule, the restoration and mitigation leasing tools created by the final BLM Public Lands Rule, and the proposed update to the Western Solar Plan can work together as critical tools for advancing responsible solar energy development on public lands in Arizona. These policies provide a framework for permitting and siting solar projects, protecting sensitive lands and cultural resources, and ensuring that development is both responsible and sustainable.

For decades, fossil fuel and mining companies have been the favored interest on public lands, and we’ve all shouldered that cost in the form of air pollution, fractured wildlife habitat, a volatile and toxic energy economy, and climate change. But now, the Renewable Energy Rule puts wind and solar development in competition with other energy producers, while the Public Lands Rule places conservation on equal footing with extractive uses like mining on public lands for the first time. As a complement to these two rules, the BLM is updating its Western Solar Plan that puts guiding lines on the map, identifying areas on public lands where companies can submit applications for solar projects, as well as areas that are entirely off-limits for solar development. If implemented together thoughtfully, they can help Arizona protect critical habitat and migration routes while embracing solar energy potential on public lands.

This type of comprehensive approach to public land management is critical because we know the role of public lands in the climate fight goes beyond their renewable energy potential, or reducing the oil, gas and coal emissions that stem from them. Healthy public lands naturally clean air and water, support natural carbon storage, and help buffer communities against both the physical and emotional impacts of living with climate change. Additionally, landscapes connected by public lands provide critical habitat for iconic wildlife to adapt to new climate realities.

Because public lands have a multitude of cultural and climate-related values, decisions on where to develop renewable energy on public lands can’t be made in a silo. Central to the success of Arizona’s solar energy ramp up is robust and thoughtful engagement of stakeholders across the state. By engaging with local communities and tribes, facilitating dialogue and thoughtful collaboration, and holistically considering all the environmental, cultural, community and climate resilience values of public lands, federal agencies can ensure that solar projects on public lands avoid sensitive areas and benefit all Arizonans, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status.

At its core, in sun-rich Arizona, solar energy represents a useful tool amidst the challenges of climate change. In concert with much-needed efforts to increase rooftop solar and energy efficiency, Arizona can and should embrace the unique opportunity we have here to tap the renewable energy potential of public lands. By doing so, Arizona can not only help mitigate the all too real impacts of climate change we now face, but also build a more prosperous and sustainable future for generations to come.