InteriorSecretary Ken Salazar announced July 24 that the Obama administration hasapproved 17 tracts of federal lands in six western states for development ofcommercial scale solar power projects, streamlining the process ofenvironmental review for developers seeking to site solar power plants on thesefederal properties. California has 153,627 approved acres, Nevada has 60,395acres, New Mexico has 29,964 acres, Utah has 18,658 acres, Colorado has 16,308acres, and Arizona has 6,465 acres. Salazar described the plan as “a roadmapfor solar development for decades to come.”
SolarEnergy Industries Association President Rhone Resch said the plan is a “detailedenvironmental analysis that will dramatically speed the permitting process.” Environmentalgroups also responded favorably to the announcement. “This is a huge stepforward for the Bureau of Land Management,” said National Wildlife Federation’sPolicy Director for Public Lands Kate Zimmerman. Helen O’Shea of the NationalResources Defense Council echoed Zimmerman’s praise for the plan. “This is areally big milestone in terms of environmentally sensitive and responsibledevelopment.”
Salazar’sInterior Department has already approved 17 utility scale solar power projectswhich will produce electricity to power 1.7 million homes when completed. Hepredicts that solar power developments on federal lands could eventually generateenough energy for 7 million homes.
Hiç yorum yok:
Yorum Gönder