Outstanding Public Lands Professional Employee Award

Managerial/Administrative Category

Greg Miller

The Public Lands Foundation is proud to present the 2024 Outstanding Public Lands Professional Employee Award in the Managerial/Operational Category to Greg Miller, BLM California Desert District Associate District Manager.

Greg Miller has served the BLM for over 37 years; the last 15 years have been with the California Desert District, a very complex organization managing nearly 11 million acres of public lands near one of the largest population centers in the nation, serving over 23 million people who use public lands in a variety of ways, with often competing demands.

Pursuant to the Energy Act of 2020, Greg stood up the original Renewable Energy Coordination Office in the Bureau and led the BLM from the California Desert District.  Through his efforts, Greg guided the team to implement improved coordination among agencies and helped to avoid potential conflicts and bottlenecks, identified best practices, accelerated information sharing and promoted efficient and timely reviews to support agency decision-making.  As a result, Greg and his team permitted the first large scale solar project on public lands and permitted over five gigawatts of renewable energy. Through his leadership and guidance, the renewable energy program he assembled was replicated nationwide.  And, Greg continues to be a valuable and sought out resource and expert on the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP.)

 

When large utility scale renewable energy projects began to dominate the desert landscape, Greg responded by taking decisive action using the Federal Land Policy and Management Act to focus BLM efforts on nonspeculative applications.  Greg’s approach received push back from industry, but by frontloading agency due diligence, the BLM was successful in eliminating or re-siting projects that posed undue degradation to public lands.

 

Greg has always nurtured relationships and led with compassion and understanding.  His “employee first” mentality creates a sociologically safe workplace for his employees to fail, learn, and ultimately succeed.  He has mentored countless aspiring leaders and dedicated his time and political capital to help ensure their success.  He routinely makes himself available for the national mentoring program and opened his office to impromptu mentoring sessions.

Because of his commitment to public land management, the Public Lands Foundation recognizes Greg Miller with its Outstanding Public Lands Professional Award in the Managerial/Administrative category for 2024

Mary Jo Rugwell, President                                                                               October 8, 2024