SITING STUDY


Working With UGS and USU to Identify Renewable Energy Sites That Won't Disrupt Utah’s Military

In partnership with the Utah Geological Survey (UGS) and Utah State University (USU), we have released an interactive ArcGIS map to identify potential renewable energy development sites on land that does not interfere with Utah’s military installations’ operations, testing and training.

To complement the map, the partnership also published a report that identifies the regulatory, military, economic, legislative and energy context of potential renewable energy sites.

Additionally, the state is home to eight major military installations, with other ranges and training routes extending from Nevada into the western and southern parts of Utah. While these military locations overlap with the state’s strongest areas for renewable potential, development could impair activities through radar interference, low-level flight obstructions, momentary flash glint, continuous source glare, night vision goggle reflection and electromagnetic interference.

The map and report proactively address those concerns by identifying and analyzing sites that can support renewable energy development without interfering with military operations.

Nationally, Utah boasts a significant array of renewable resources, ranking third nationally for geothermal power and eighth for solar, while also providing wind, hydro and biomass.

The ArcGIS map and associated report will help energy developers identify potential conflicts with military operations before investing significant resources into a project and to suggest solutions that benefit both the energy industry and the military.

This effort is particularly timely as Utah’s population is projected to double by 2050, likely increasing energy demands and energy costs. By identifying renewable energy sites that do not impede military activities, Utah can help meet this expected growth with solar, wind and geothermal energy.


View Report

Interactive Energy Study Map