BLM and DOE Analyzing Western Solar

As part of the federal effort to explore renewable energy sources, the BLM and Dept. of Energy are beginning to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for solar energy on BLM lands in six western states — AZ, CA, CO, NM, NV, and UT.

Part of the PEIS will address 125 applications the BLM has received for solar development. BLM says the potential projects cover about 1 million acres, and could generate 70 billion watts of energy, enough to power about 20 million typical US homes.

Eight meetings to solicit public feedback on the initial stages of the PEIS are scheduled for June 2008:

• June 16: Riverside, CA
• June 17: Barstow, CA
• June 18: Las Vegas, NV
• June 19: Sacramento, CA
• June 23: Denver, CO
• June 24: Phoenix, AZ
• June 25: Salt Lake City, UT
• June 26: Albuquerque, NM

For details on the meetings, contact either Lisa Jorgensen, 303-275-4906; or Linda Resseguie, 202-452-7774.

• Solar PEIS; May 29, 2008, press release.