Clean Energy Site Mapping
   

Planning a clean energy project in Washington State? The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has pre-screened thousands of state trust properties for the potential of leasing to solar developments. Potential lessees can use this map to identify properties for further interest in solar development. Commissioner of Public Lands, Hilary Franz set a goal to lease DNR-managed land for 500 megawatts of solar energy development by 2025. This means DNR would like to lease about 5,000 acres for solar development. DNR currently has three solar leases, for a total of approximately 1,300 acres.
 
Stakeholders, community members, and Tribes can provide feedback on the properties potential conversion to a clean energy lease. If you are interested in learning more about DNR clean energy leases, please contact us. Additional information and a GIS layer of the screened DNR properties is available upon request. This map does not represent a decision or commitment to lease any property for clean energy development. 
 

Why lease land from DNR for Clean Energy?

DNR is the largest land manager in Washington currently seeking to lease its lands for clean energy development. As such, DNR is investing time and resources in pre-screening, outreach, and pre-evaluation of properties that no other land owner in Washington is doing. By working proactively with Tribes, stakeholders, and available data, DNR can provide upfront information, reduce risk, and help developers save time and money as a result. When you lease land from DNR, the revenues fund schools and public organizations across Washington. 
 

Leasing DNR Land for Clean Energy Projects

As a state agency, DNR must follow specific laws, policies, and processes when we lease land for any purpose. Once a property is selected for a clean energy lease, it can take a minimum of one year for a lease to be fully executed. In addition to DNR completing an administrative review to determine if clean energy is the best use of the land, the leasing process includes State Environmental Protection Act compliance, Tribal consultation, public notification and outreach, and a public auction for the right to lease. DNR also offers Land Use Licenses for pre-development access to properties. DNR is not a regulator of clean energy projects, and it does not permit or approve the overall projects. DNR entering into a Land Use License or lease agreement is not an endorsement of a project by DNR, and all projects must complete required permitting processes. DNR’s leasing processes are public and subject to records requests. If you are interested in learning more about clean energy on DNR property, please email mlcep@dnr.wa.gov.
 

Click here to view the map of potential DNR Clean Energy properties

 

About the Map

This map is designed to evaluate potential for clean energy leases, not the feasibility of a project overall. It only includes properties managed by DNR the agency would consider leasing for clean energy. This map can help identify concerns about solar on specific properties early, so we can help energy developers find the right property for their projects - saving costs down the road.
 
 
 
FAQs
  • DNR is creating this map to direct interest from developers to lands that are not currently under lease, and that have the lowest (or no) potential conflicts with solar development – such as habitat and cultural resources.
  • DNR issuing a lease is not an endorsement of the project, nor does it signify approval of the project by any other agency.
  • DNR is not a regulatory agency when it comes to solar development. DNR acts as the “landowner” leasing to these projects.
  • Questions or concerns about specific projects can be addressed by the permitting authority.
  • The sites highlighted on the draft map are sites that DNR would consider leasing for solar development; no decisions have been made at this time.
  • DNR invites any input on the locations we have identified, the draft map, as well as the process the Clean Energy Program follows.
 
This map is only assessing DNR-managed trust lands. Below is information on other statewide mapping efforts: