Obama administration announces desert "solar energy zones" - Hillary Fortin

On Thursday, the Obama Administration revealed plans for solar energy development in which “solar energy zones” are set up in California’s Mojave Desert and other areas in the West by the Bureau of Land Management. These large-scale industrial projects will be directed to 285,000 acres of desert in the Western U.S. as well as 20 million acres of the Mojave Desert.
These energy zones are meant to promote development in areas that do not have any cultural or environmental conflicts. They are also to make landscapes that are most sensitive in the desert “less desirable for solar prospecting.” They do this by identifying “sweet spots” that already comply with environmental requirements thus promising “expedited permitting,” says U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. 17 solar energy zones in six Western states have been found to not have any major cultural or environmental conflicts.
Both industrial and environmental groups say there is a lot at stake with the release of this plan. For billions of dollars in subsides, solar developers need to site projects ahead of deadlines. Meanwhile, conservationists claim that the desert is not able to handle such large scale industrial change. There is also concern about the amount of money spent on these projects. According to an analysis by the Interior Department’s inspector general, these projects have consumed nearly 80% of the Recovery Acts funding that was put aside for the bureau’s entire renewable program. Renewable energy is a main concern of Obama’s energy policy, but there are areas of much concern in terms of money spent on the development of solar operations.
I think that desert areas such as Mojave are appropriate places for solar energy projects. I think it is a good way to make use of the land because of the amount of light it receives. Plus the “sweet spots” they identified have already met environmental requirements and many solar energy zones do not have any major cultural or environmental conflicts. I think this is an important aspect and that they should continue to focus on such areas. These areas can assist in Obama’s energy policy which, as stated in the article, “aims to reduce American dependence on foreign oil while developing domestic clean energy that creates jobs.” I can understand how money is a significant concern, but if they could continue to launch more projects in other areas where there are no major conflicts it could help in creating jobs and more renewable solar energy zones.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-solar-desert-20111028,0,7889585.story