Well occasionally, our Government does something right!
Feds bar new mining claims from 17 new solar energy zones on Western public lands
from startribune.com -- July 5, 2013
WASHINGTON — Federal officials have taken another step toward establishing 17 new "solar energy zones" on public lands in the West by barring new mining claims that could impede renewable energy development on the sites.
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Hmmm? Maybe folks could learn to
"mine" the Sun, instead?
With a little help from the DOI ...
U.S. boosts solar farm opportunities
by Roni Robbins, mnn.com -- Nov 20 2012
Large solar energy projects, or solar farms, had already been experiencing a boom when the federal government cleared the way for more to locate on public land.
The Department of the Interior [DOI] announced in October that it has set aside 285,000 acres of public land in the West for the utility-scale installations. An additional 19 million acres have been identified for potential development in the future.
If fully developed, solar projects on the land could produce as much as 23,700 megawatts (MW) of solar energy [23.7 GW (gigawatts)]. That’s enough to power about 7 million American homes, the federal agency reported Oct. 12.
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24 GW (Gigawatts) -- hey that's no "flash in the pan" ...
It's a real business opportunity for 'no nonsense' Green Energy development.
Interior Department sets aside 285,000 acres for solar development
by Robert Bowen, examiner.com -- Oct 14, 2012
[...]
The big news, however, was the announcement of the Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) which opens up 285,000 acres of public land in the West for solar development and changes the way solar projects will be approved. Most of the land is in California, but there is sufficient acreage in each of the other states to make a difference.
Instead of waiting for a developer to come to the Interior Department with a proposal to build solar on federal lands, the Department is now identifying solar energy development zones in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah with access to existing or planned transmission capacity. On these locations, utility-scale solar PV installations would pose minimal risks to wildlife and ecosystems.
This takes some of the cost, time, and risk out of large solar developments. A solar developer and their financial backers will know going in that the site is appropriate for solar development and there will not be huge delays for new environmental studies. They are also assured of adequate transmission lines to get the new energy to customers that want to buy it.
[...]
The DOI 'sez'
Go Solar --
We're here to help ...
Solar PEIS SEZs
The map below shows the locations of 17 SEZs. Click the sun icons or labels in the map or follow the links below the map to learn more about each SEZ.
An SEZ is defined by the BLM as an area well-suited for utility-scale production of solar energy where BLM will prioritize solar energy and associated transmission infrastructure development. [...]
Enough Solar Energy to power 7 million homes from public lands in our inventory -- now that's saying something:
Ken Salazar announces new solar energy program
by Ann Egerton, examiner.com -- Oct 16, 2012
[...]
The Solar PEIS [Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement] establishes 17 Solar Energy Zones (SEZ) covering 285,000 acres of public lands within six states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The SEZ's were chosen for their high resource potential, transmission capacity, and lack of environmental conflicts. Projects within the zones could produce up to 23,700 megawatts of solar energy, which would be enough to power approximately seven million homes.
The Solar PEIS includes incentives for developing within the zones that include faster and easier permitting and economic incentives. Interested developers would get a right-of-way to build on BLM land and then pay royalties to the government. The program also allows the development of projects on an additional 19 million acres outside the SEZ's, but these would be subject to reviews on a case-by-case basis. Conversely, the program has set aside 78.6 million acres of public land as unsuitable for solar energy development due to environmental or cultural concerns.
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Well you can't blame the Feds for getting their "royalties" -- Solar will ultimately be the new 'Gold-Energy Rush' of the 21st Century.
Someone's got to pay to keep the lights on!
Here's the latest PEIS News -- hope this "Greening of the West" stays on track ... so far, so good.
This Web site is the online center for public information and involvement in the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Solar Energy Development in Six Southwestern States (Solar PEIS).
solareis.anl.gov
Withdrawal of Solar Energy Zone Lands
On June 27, 2013, a Public Land Order that withdraws 303,900 acres of land within the solar energy zones (SEZs) from location of mining claims that could impede development of solar energy sites became effective. The Public Land Order was published in the Federal Register on July 5, 2013. For more information, see Withdrawal of SEZ Lands under News.
Arizona Restoration Design Energy Project ROD
In January 2013, the Arizona Restoration Design Energy Project (RDEP) released a Record of Decision (ROD) and Approved Resource Management Plan Amendments. The ROD establishes 192,100 acres of renewable energy development areas on BLM land throughout Arizona. In addition, the ROD establishes the Agua Caliente Solar Energy Zone, which was developed under the guidance of the Solar PEIS. The Final RDEP EIS and ROD are available on the BLM website.
[... more ...]
Here's where you can see those 17 new Solar Energy Zone from a "street level" view.
Very Cool!
Solar Energy Zone Interactive Panoramas
View interactive panoramas of the solar energy zones (SEZs) in your Web browser.
Click a SEZ on the map or a link in the list below to view interactive panoramas of the solar energy zones [...]
Dry Lake -- Nevada:
larger view
[For 16 More "public" Solar Energy Zones check out this interactive web page, link above.]
Anyone want to form a Trust, and take out a MEGA Business Loan?
Putting in a "solar farm" on Public Lands, might be a stellar bet. A sure winner, striking the income-stream Mother Load, as some future Energy Moguls might one day say.