A recent analysis by the Center for American Progress suggested oil and gas leasing is favored on public lands over renewables development in western states, according to Rigzone.

Aside from the fact that more public land is available for oil and gas leasing, most of the land set aside for renewable projects is land that has little drilling potential.

More than 77% of the land set aside for renewable energy in the west has low oil and gas potential; however, it remains open for oil and gas leasing, according to the analysis. This trend is particularly obvious for public lands deemed highly favorable for geothermal energy — 83% of that land has little oil but remains available for drilling.

Learn more: Rigzone > Oil beats renewable power in U.S. public land leasing