Solar Energy Zones Identified in Six Western States

WASHINGTON, DC, December 16, 2010 (ENS) - The Obama administration today proposed guidelines for solar development on public lands in the West, to accelerate projects in six western states - Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.

The detailed study, known as a Draft Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, names 24 "solar energy zones" that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said are "best suited for large-scale solar development."

"We think it provides a common sense and flexible framework through which to grow our nation's renewable energy economy," Salazar told reporters on a teleconference.

"Our early, Smart from the Start, planning will help us site solar projects in the right places, and reduce conflicts and delays at later stages of the development process," Salazar said.

"Our country has incredible renewable resources, innovative entrepreneurs, a skilled workforce, and manufacturing know-how," said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. "It's time to harness these resources and lead in the global clean energy economy."

The public is encouraged to provide comment on the draft plan during the next 90 days. The Notice of Availability for the Draft Solar PEIS will be published in the Federal Register on Friday, December 17 and is available today in the Reading Room. The 90-day public comment period will include 14 open meetings, beginning in Washington, DC on February 2, 2011.

"Today's announcement is part of an integrated strategy to cultivate the entire innovation chain to create the jobs of the 21st century economy and to put America on a sustainable energy path," said Chu.

"This proposal lays out the next phase of President Obama's strategy for rapid and responsible development of renewable energy on America's public lands," Salazar said.

Under the proposal, the Bureau of Land Management would establish Solar Energy Zones within the lands available for solar development right of way applications. These are areas that have been identified as most appropriate for development, containing the highest solar energy potential and fewest environmental and resource conflicts.

The Solar Energy Zones would provide directed, landscape-scale planning for future solar projects and allow for a more efficient permitting and siting process.

The initiative stems from Salazar's June 2009 announcement that tracts of BLM land in the six western states, known as Solar Energy Study Areas, would be fully evaluated for their environmental and resource suitability for large-scale solar energy production.

Also today, Energy Secretary Chu announced the Department of Energy's intent to fund up to $50 million to test and demonstrate innovative technologies that will lead to cost-competitive solar energy technologies.

The demonstration program will be a critical link between the Department of Energy's advanced technology development programs and full-scale commercialization efforts.

The Nevada National Security Site, previously the Nevada Nuclear Test Site, will serve as a proving ground for cutting-edge solar technologies, such as concentrating solar thermal power and concentrating photovoltaic energy. These technologies can be used for utility applications in the Southwest where there is an abundance of solar energy.

"This funding will allow the Department to further test advanced and innovative solar energy technologies in real-world conditions, providing critical data for companies and communities looking to invest in large-scale solar projects," said Chu.

"The Solar Demonstration Zone in Nevada is part of an integrated effort to expand the solar energy industry, helping to put America on a path to a sustainable energy future and create the jobs of the 21st century economy," he said.