Saturday, February 15, 2025
HomeEnvironment HeadlinesBiden-Harris Administration Streamlines Approval Process for Solar Projects on Western Public Lands...

Biden-Harris Administration Streamlines Approval Process for Solar Projects on Western Public Lands – EcoWatch

“Accelerating Solar Energy Expansion: Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Plan for Solar Projects on Federal Lands”

Construction of the Gemini solar project on federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Clark County, Nevada, is set to begin on January 24, 2023. This project is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s plan to expand solar energy on federal lands in Western states such as Arizona, California, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

The administration’s goal is to decarbonize the power sector and combat climate change by accelerating project approvals for wind and solar farms as well as power transmission. This initiative is in line with President Joe Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which aims to promote renewable energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Natalie Quillian, White House deputy chief of staff, stated that the administration is using its executive authority to improve the federal permitting process for renewable energy projects. As part of this effort, the Bureau of Land Management has announced a roadmap to support the expansion of solar energy by enhancing siting and permitting processes on public lands. This will make the process more efficient and guide projects to areas with low land and wildlife conflicts and high solar potential.

The Bureau of Land Management will make over 31 million acres of public lands available in the 11 Western states for solar development, providing green energy to millions of residences. Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has conditionally approved a new rule that allows offsets to create clean air credits in Arizona’s Maricopa County. This will enable companies with vehicle fleets to generate credits by transitioning to electric vehicles, which can be purchased by other emitters to balance out their emissions.

Maricopa County, known for its semiconductor manufacturing industry, has attracted investments from chip manufacturers like TSMC and Intel. The new rule will help the county continue to build semiconductor fabs while ensuring clean air for residents. The administration has already reduced the time it takes to complete environmental reviews, and the new plan aims to further streamline the process.

Overall, the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to expand solar energy on federal lands and promote clean air initiatives demonstrate a commitment to combating climate change and transitioning to a more sustainable energy future.

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular