.png%3Falt%3Dmedia%26token%3D6bf6c4f0-187b-400e-9ff1-da07426c8e49&w=3840&q=75)
Efficient Markets, the marketplace operator for federal and state geothermal lease sales, reported a record-breaking result from the Bureau of Land Management's Utah geothermal lease sale held on 18 August 2026. One parcel achieved a high bid of $1,207 per acre, more than 70 percent above the previous record of $701 per acre set at a June 2026 BLM New Mexico sale. The overall Utah sale generated total high bids of $24.5 million across 32 parcels spanning 72,398 acres.
Efficient Markets Chief Ventures Officer Gus Rivero attributed the strengthening demand to "clean, low-cost, reliable power generation and thermal management, driven by technology advancements and data center development," stating the company expects "increased investment in geothermal projects, driving stronger competition and momentum in geothermal power generation" going forward.
Read more: Alantra Launches €120 Million Energy Transition Secondaries Fund, Acquires Shell Ventures Portfolio
At the state level, the Texas General Land Office has issued a Request for Information soliciting interest in geothermal exploration and development on permanent school fund lands, with responses due by 10 December 2026. Colorado has announced its inaugural Request for Proposals for geothermal exploration and development on state trust land, with proposals due 20 September 2026. Efficient Markets will host two additional upcoming BLM geothermal lease sales, in Nevada on 20 October 2026 and Idaho, proposed for November 2026.
Source: Efficient Markets
Subscribe to our newsletter for more insights, case studies, and ESG intelligence.
Keep abreast of the top ESG Events on OneStop ESG Events.
OneStop ESG Educate: Your go-to source for top ESG courses and training programs tailored to your needs.
Stay informed with the latest insights on OneStop ESG News.
Discover meaningful career opportunities on OneStop ESG Jobs.
Ankit Palan
Sustainability Content Strategist
Ankit Palan is a Canada based writer who has been writing about sustainability for the past four years. He focuses on making topics like climate change, ESG, and responsible business easier to understand and more relatable. His work looks at how sustainability plays out in the real world, across businesses, finance, and everyday decisions, without overcomplicating it.
.png%3Falt%3Dmedia%26token%3D8484705d-7f0e-47a6-9fb2-4e360392ea43&w=1920&q=75)
Comments
Have a thought on this? Share it with other readers.