In a move aimed at safeguarding the declining greater sage grouse population, the Biden administration has put forth a proposal to impose stricter regulations on oil, solar, and wind energy development across over 6,500 square miles of federal land in the U.S. West. The greater sage grouse, known for their intricate mating rituals, have seen a significant decline in numbers due to various factors including energy exploration, wildfires, and disease.
Initially, an agreement in 2015 under the Obama administration helped keep the birds off the endangered species list by placing limitations on development activities within their 270,000-square mile range. The current proposal seeks to enhance these protections by closing loopholes that previously allowed development in critical areas for the bird's survival. Under the new plan, new solar and wind projects would be excluded, and oil and gas exploration would be restricted to designated sites outside protected areas.
While the proposal aims to strike a balance between conservation and development, it has faced criticism from industries, Republicans, and some environmentalists. The renewables industry expressed concerns over restrictions hindering clean energy infrastructure deployment, while Wyoming's Governor and a U.S. Senator accused the Biden administration of imposing unnecessary federal regulations.
Despite the mixed reactions, major conservation organizations have voiced support for the proposed changes. However, some environmentalists believe the measures fall short of providing adequate protection for the sage grouse, as loopholes allowing development would still exist in a significant portion of their habitat.
Officials anticipate minimal economic impacts from the proposed restrictions, stating that energy companies already avoid sage grouse habitat due to existing limitations. The Bureau of Land Management is accepting protests against the proposal until December 9, with final decisions on land management plans to follow.
In a related move, a proposal to block new mining projects on over 15,625 square miles of land in several states to aid sage grouse conservation is also under consideration. The greater sage grouse population has declined by 65% since 1986, prompting efforts to protect the species and its habitat.
