BLM to Hold California Geothermal Lease Sale to Strengthen U.S. Energy Security and Boost Domestic Supply

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Delivering on the Trump administration's promise to expand American energy production and strengthen U.S. energy dominance, the Bureau of Land Management is offering opportunities for reliable energy development on public lands with a competitive geothermal lease sale on Oct. 27, 2026. The auction will be held online via EnergyNet, offering 19 parcels, approximately 40,000 acres in Modoc, Sonoma, Lake, Mono, Inyo, and Imperial counties in California.

Parcels are available for viewing on the BLM National NEPA Register pages for each respective BLM field office, which are linked on the BLM California Geothermal Energy website and available on EnergyNet in approximately 10 business days. The open bidding period begins at 8 a.m. Pacific Time on the day of the sale. Each parcel will have a unique one-hour bidding window, with specific times listed on the auction website.

For each parcel leased, 50% of the bid, rental receipts, and subsequent royalties will go to the state of California, 25% will go to the county where the lease is located, and the remaining 25% will go to the U.S. Treasury. The BLM issues competitive geothermal leases for an initial 10-year period, which allows the lessee to explore for and develop potential geothermal resources. The leases may be extended if the lessee establishes production or provides proof of diligent exploration.

Before authorizing any surface-disturbing activities, the BLM conducts additional environmental reviews based on applications for exploration or development plans, which include site-specific conditions in addition to the stipulations attached to the lease at the time of sale.

For more information, contact the BLM California State Office at 916-978-4400 or [email protected].