Bureau of Land Management
Interior Dept. land agency; approved an AI data center on public land without fresh review; sold wild horses NYT traced to slaughter
Agency· United States · in the record since May 2026
4links
—in stakes shown
2open stories
1 of 2responded
Connections · 4
● confirmed by a primary document · ○ reported
● confirmed by a primary document · ○ reported
Contracts
○
On 26 June 2026 BLM let developer Townsite Solar 2 swap a 19 MW solar right-of-way in Boulder City, Nevada, for a 167 MW AI data center, calling the two projects 'substantially the same'.
1 source
- Electrek
Townsite Solar 2 received a federal right-of-way in 2023 to build a solar farm and a 35 MW battery storage system on an 80-acre parcel within the city limits of Boulder City, Nevada – known as “the city that built Hoover Dam.” In late 2025, the developer applied to replace the clean energy project with an AI data center, and the BLM approved the amended right-of-way on June 26.
Roles
○
The Senate confirmed former New Mexico congressman Steve Pearce as BLM director on 18 May 2026 by a party-line 46-43 vote.
1 source
- KUNC — U.S. Senate confirms Steve Pearce as head of BLM
Senators voted along party lines Monday, 46-43, to confirm Steve Pearce as head of the BLM. All 46 yay votes were from Republicans, with Democrats and two independents comprising the nay votes.
Figures
●
BLM's wild horse program spent $153 million in fiscal 2024, including $101 million (66%) on holding rounded-up animals off the range.66% · $153M
2 sources
- Snopes
According to the program's figures it spent $101 million — 66% of its budget — on off-range holding costs in fiscal year 2024.
- Wild Horse and Burro Program DataDocumentProgram Budget, FY2024
Total Expenditures* $153M n/a Off-Range Holding Costs $101M 66%
●
BLM sold 3,718 wild horses and burros in fiscal 2025, up from 1,509 in fiscal 2024.
1 source
- Wild Horse and Burro Program DataDocumentSales table
Fiscal Year Horses Burros Total 2025 2,387 1,331 3,718 2024 793 716 1,509