Trump Administration to Hold Geothermal Lease Auction

The Bureau of Land Management will auction public land in Nevada for geothermal energy development on October 20.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in National Parks

Trump Administration to Hold Geothermal Lease Auction

Live Poll

Should the federal government prioritize solar energy projects over geothermal leases on public land?

The Trump administration is set to conduct a geothermal lease auction for federal public land in Nevada on October 20, 2026. This sale follows a series of administrative adjustments to the available acreage.

Why it matters

The auction reflects the Bureau of Land Management's mandate to balance competing interests on federal property, including energy production and existing solar development projects.

The auction covers a total of 265,155 acres of federal land in Nevada, with initial lease terms lasting for 10 years. Previous geothermal sales have generated significant revenue, including a 2025 auction that raised $9.4 million.

The players

Bureau of Land Management

This federal agency is responsible for managing over 245 million acres of public land and oversees energy leasing operations on federal property.

NextEra Energy

This clean energy company is a major developer of solar and wind power projects across the United States.

Invenergy

This global renewable energy company develops, owns, and operates utility-scale sustainable energy generation facilities.

Arevia Power

This developer specializes in large-scale utility solar and energy storage projects in the American West.

The details

Solar developers have raised concerns regarding land use conflicts between geothermal lease parcels and large-scale renewable projects, such as NextEra Energy's planned 1,000-megawatt Sawtooth solar site. While one parcel overlapping the Sawtooth site was removed, the Bureau of Land Management denied requests to reconfigure other disputed tracts in August 2026.

October 2025: Previous geothermal sale raised $9.4 million.
August 2026: BLM denied a request to modify lease parcels.
September 2026: Auction acreage was amended to 265,155 acres.
October 20, 2026: The geothermal lease auction is scheduled to take place.

Travel Outlook

The auction highlights the ongoing regulatory balancing act between expanding geothermal infrastructure and accommodating large-scale solar projects on public lands. This reflects a broader trend of increased land-use competition as multiple renewable energy sectors vie for the same geography in Nevada.

Residents and stakeholders should note that land use determinations can affect regional infrastructure and the development timelines of utility projects in Nye and Esmeralda counties. Auction outcomes may influence local tax revenues, as one quarter of proceeds from bids, rents, and royalties is allocated to the relevant county.

The takeaway

The auction demonstrates the complex trade-offs required when developing multiple energy resources on federal land. Developers and local communities should monitor how the government reconciles competing solar and geothermal plans to understand future land access.