Federal Investigation Reveals Relaxed Procedures in BLM for Solar and Wind Energy Project Approvals
The Interior Department's inspector general has released an audit of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) solar and wind application processing between 2017 and 2023. The audit, dated Tuesday, did not properly evaluate project applications and found that more than one in four approved projects contained deficiencies that could have prevented them from advancing.
The IG audit included 10 recommendations for implementing new internal control policies and procedures to improve oversight within the BLM. However, the audit did not specify the exact nature of the deficiencies found in the approved projects.
The deficiencies were a result of insufficient management oversight, outdated and absent policies and procedures, and the insufficient training of BLM staff responsible for processing rights-of-way applications. The audit also did not provide evidence that the Bureau of Land Management had followed proper procedures in reviewing project applications.
The investigation is focused on the review of hundreds of project applications from President Donald Trump's first term to the present day, including the Biden administration. The IG's audit did not detail the potential consequences of the deficiencies found in the approved projects.
No information was given about whether the Bureau of Land Management has begun implementing the recommendations from the audit. The IG audit estimated that for 84 percent of the 258 applications processed during this period, there was no evidence that the BLM had verified the applicants' technical and financial capabilities.
The deficiencies found in the approved projects are a concern as the BLM's wind and solar program is under investigation. The recommendations aim to address these issues and ensure that the BLM's application processing is thorough and accurate. The IG's audit will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve the monitoring of Rights-of-Way applications at the Bureau of Land Management.
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