The federal government is behind a plan to increase geothermal energy in southern new New Mexico. and it’s offering leases for sale to nearly 200,000 acres of desert land.
The Bureau of Land Management announced it wants public comments about 68 parcels across 197,852 acres in Doña Ana, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, and Sierra counties that may be offered in a June 16 geothermal lease sale.
This public feedback period ends May 11, 2026. The official sale notice will post to the BLM National NEPA Register on May 1. Leasing of these parcels will allow lessees to explore the potential for future geothermal development. A sale amendment may be issued prior to the sale due to potential resource concerns identified during the public comment period.
For each parcel leased, 25% of the bid, rental receipts, and subsequent royalties will go to the U.S. Treasury, 25% will go to the county where the lease is located, and the remaining 50% will go to the State of New Mexico.
Geothermal lease sales support domestic energy production and American energy independence, while contributing to the nation’s economic and military security. Consistent with Executive Order 14154, “Unleashing American Energy,” the BLM’s geothermal lease sales help meet the energy needs of U.S. citizens and solidify the nation as a global energy leader.
Leasing is the first step in the process to develop federal geothermal resources. The BLM ensures geothermal development meets the requirements set forth by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and other applicable legal authorities. Planning documents for this sale, including instructions on how to comment, are available at the BLM National NEPA Register. BLM’s lease sales are held online through Efficient Markets.
Geothermal is an abundant resource, especially in the West, where the BLM has authority to manage geothermal resource leasing, exploration, and development on approximately 245 million surface acres of public lands and the 700 million acres of U.S.-owned subsurface mineral estate.
Visit the BLM New Mexico Geothermal Energy website for updates.