Interior Plan Expedites Solar Development in West - 8 News NOW

Interior Plan Expedites Solar Development in West

Posted: Updated:
  • Business

  • Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval toured BMM Test Labs, an international company that moved its headquarters from Australia to Las Vegas. 8 News NOW's Patranya Bhoolsuwan reports.
  • Wednesday, April 10 2013 10:55 PM EDT2013-04-11 02:55:49 GMT
    LAS VEGAS -- Another part of the former Las Vegas city hall complex downtown is now converted for use by the growing Vegas tech community. What used to be the city's Channel 2 studios on Las Vegas Boulevard
    Another part of the former Las Vegas city hall complex downtown is now converted for use by the growing Vegas tech community.
  • Wednesday, March 20 2013 7:49 PM EDT2013-03-20 23:49:13 GMT
    LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Las Vegas' largest union says more than 100 hotel and casino workers plan to block traffic on the Strip to protest stalled contract negotiations with the Cosmopolitan casino. Culinary
    Las Vegas' largest union says more than 100 hotel and casino workers plan to block traffic on the Strip to protest stalled contract negotiations with the Cosmopolitan casino.

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) -- The Obama administration is streamlining the development of large-scale solar projects on public lands by approving 17 vast tracts across the West with the highest power-generating potential and the fewest environmental impacts.

The announcement made Tuesday by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar comes as developers scramble to secure utility-scale solar sites. Salazar said having pre-approved sites will make it easier for developers to proceed.

Map of Solar Energy Zones

Environmental groups said the plan strikes a balance between conservation and development. Solar advocates said they hope it will speed the permitting process.

The zones cover 285,000 acres, with five sites in Nevada, four in Colorado, three in Utah, two each in California and Arizona, and one in New Mexico. Originally 677,000 acres had been considered.

Powered by WorldNow
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and KLAS. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.