BLM seeks comment on use of public land for large solar-energy projects - Business First of Louisville:

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The land management agency that 24 large tractds of federal land in the West includingnearly 21,000 acres in Colorado’ss San Luis Valley — would be studiexd for their solar power potential. Othee states involved are California, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico. The goal is to speeed project permittingfor utility-scale solarr power projects. The 24 tracts known as Solar EnergyStudy Areas, totaling 670,00p acres — will be evaluatedd for their environmental and resource suitabilityt for large-scale solar energy production.
In the three areas in the San Luis Valleyg that will be part of the studh could generate upto 4,182 megawatts of solar powe r if fully developed, according to the , whicg oversees BLM. Areas deemed suitable for largwe solar power projects would be available for companies to buil d installations with a capacity of 10 megawatts or Companies proposing projects in thes e areas would be eligibler for fasterpermit processing, the department said. The land in the Solad Energy Study Areas will be looked at as part of anexistiny solar-power environmental impact study the department is conducting in six Westerb states.
An in-depth environmental review is beingh paid for with money from the American Reinvestmentg andRecovery Act, the announcement said. BLM said last montyh it has received 158 applications for soladr power projects on federal landas inthe West. In Colorado, BLM is seeking commeng on potential solar developmenft of lands in the De Tilla LosMogotes East, Antonito and Fourmile East areas of southern Colorado. BLM managews 256 million acres of federalpublicf land, including more than 8 milliobn in Colorado. in PDF format. The public comment period endsJuly 30.