Between 1975 and 2000, total renewable energy production in the United States increased from about 4.8 to 6.8 quadrillion BTUs, supplying about seven percent of the nation's energy consumption in 2000. By 2020, renewable energy production is forecast to rise to about 9.0 quadrillion BTUs, but still will account for only about seven percent of consumption.

Geothermal: Geothermal energy is using the earth's heat to generate electricity. The three states with the most geothermal electricity generation potential are Nevada, California, and Utah. Other high-potential states are Idaho, Hawaii, New Mexico, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. Nevada is one of the top producers of geothermal power, with 9% of northern Nevada's electricity being provided by geothermal energy.

Hydropower: Hydropower is energy that captured and turned into electricity from flowing water. Hydropower is currently the largest source of renewable power, generating nearly 10 percent of the electricity used in the United States. The total U.S. hydropower capacity - including pumped storage facilities - is about 95,000 megawatts.

Bioenergy or Biomass: Bioenergy is the use of organic matter to provide heat, make fuels, and generate electricity. Wood is the largest source of bioenergy, but there are many other types of biomass - such as plants, residue from agriculture or forestry, and the organic component of municipal and industrial wastes - that can now be used as an energy source. Bioenergy ranks second (to hydropower) in renewable U.S. primary energy production and accounts for three percent of the primary energy production in the United States.

Wind: Wind energy is the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines, like aircraft propellor blades, turn in the moving air and power an electric generator which supplies an electric current. Wind energy was the fastest growing source of electricity generation in the world during the 90's. Currently, new, utility-scale, wind projects are being built all around the United States with energy costs ranging from 3.9 cents per kilowatt-hour (at very windy sites in Texas) to 5 cents or more (in the Pacific Northwest).

Solar: Solar technologies use the sun's energy and light to provide heat, light, hot water, electricity, and even cooling, for homes, businesses, and industry. Many BLM campground, picnic, recreational and historical areas use solar technology

For more Information visit:
Assessing The Potential For Renewable Energy on Public Lands/
Bureau of Land Management National Energy Office