Investigation of False Reporting by Renewable Energy Companies

OIG investigated allegations by a U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) biologist that renewable energy companies holding right-of-way grants with BLM were falsely reporting animal takes associated with their activities on Federal land. The complaint also alleged that the companies prevented biological monitors from directly reporting their findings to BLM by requiring them to sign nondisclosure agreements. We interviewed BLM management and witnesses and could not substantiate the allegations with the information received. In addition, BLM management already had begun to address the issues by drafting right-of-way grant policy clarifications to avoid the alleged issues in the future. We forwarded our report to BLM for information.