Draft Protected Areas Exclusion (Solar) for 2026-2027 IRP

<p>The geospatial data reflected in this Protected Area Layer contain minor data versioning and consolidation updates from the <a target='_blank' href='https://caenergy.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=a60743cfb11d4b418bc92645aea57bd1' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'>previous Protected Area Layer</a>. The components of the Protected Area Layer mostly pertain to natural and wilderness areas where development of utility-scale renewable energy is prohibited, and were heavily based on RETI 1.0 blackout areas.</p><p>The protected area layer for solar PV technology includes the <a target='_blank' href='https://blmsolar.anl.gov/solar-peis-2023/' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'>BLM Western Solar Plan</a>, as well as the latest <a target='_blank' href='https://www.blm.gov/programs/fish-and-wildlife/sagegrouse/blm-sagegrouse-plans' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'>Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat Management Areas</a> (note: the Sage Grouse Habitat Management Areas provide separate exclusion areas for solar, wind, and geothermal resources).<span>&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></p><p>More information is found in the<a target='_blank' href='https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/-/media/cpuc-website/divisions/energy-division/documents/integrated-resource-plan-and-long-term-procurement-plan-irp-ltpp/2024-2026-irp-cycle-events-and-materials/assumptions-for-the-2026-2027-tpp/final_2025_busbar_mappingmag_presentation_cec.pdf' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'> CEC presentation</a> from the August 19 webinar, as well as the <a target='_blank' href='https://www.energy.ca.gov/data-reports/california-energy-planning-library/land-use-screens' rel='nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer'>2023 Land Use Screens Staff Report in the CEC Energy Planning Library</a>.<span style='font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,sans-serif;'> </span>&nbsp;</p>