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BLM Secures $1.2 Million From Oregon Geothermal Lease Sale

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The Bureau of Land Management on Tuesday secured $1.2 million from a geothermal lease sale covering two Oregon parcels totaling more than 9,500 acres.

The parcels are located within the Mount Hood National Forest, and the BLM may issue the leases after completing its review and receiving payment from the winning bidders.

The agency will distribute proceeds from bonus bids, rental payments, and future royalties among the US Treasury, Oregon, and Marion County.

The BLM said geothermal leasing can expand domestic energy production and support US energy independence, economic security and national defense under Executive Order 14154, "Unleashing American Energy."

BLM Oregon/Washington State Director Kim Prill said geothermal energy offers abundant, reliable power, particularly in the West, adding that "the BLM is committed to unlocking that potential to support American energy production and our local economies."

The BLM uses leasing as the first stage of federal geothermal development and reviews projects under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and other laws.

The agency manages leasing across about 245 million surface acres and subsurface rights spanning 700 million acres.

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