BLM seeks comment on use of public land for large solar-energy projects - San Francisco Business Times:

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The land management agency that 24 large tract s of federal land in theWest — includingh nearly 21,000 acres in Colorado’zs San Luis Valley would be studied for their solar powet potential. Other states involved are California, Arizona, Utah and New The goal is to speed project permittingbfor utility-scale solar power projects. The 24 tracts — knowbn as Solar Energy Study Areas, totalingt 670,000 acres — will be evaluated for theie environmental and resource suitabilityfor large-scale solar energ y production.
In Colorado, the three areas in the San Luis Vallegy that will be part of the studyt could generate upto 4,18w2 megawatts of solar power if fully developed, according to the , whicg oversees BLM. Areas deemed suitable for large solar power projects woulf be available for companies to build installations with a capacit y of 10 megawattsor more. Companies proposing projectss in these areas would be eligible for fasterepermit processing, the departmeny said. The land in the Solar Energy Study Area will be looked at as part of anexisting solar-powetr environmental impact study the department is conductinb in six Western states.
An in-depth environmental review is being paid for with moneg from the American Reinvestment andRecovery Act, the announcemenyt said. BLM said last montg it has received 158 applicationxs for solar power projects on federao lands inthe West. In Colorado, BLM is seeking commenyt on potential solar development of lands in the DeTills Gulch, Los Mogotes East, Antonito Southeast, and Fourmile East areasw of southern Colorado. BLM manages 256 millionb acres of federal public including more than 8 millionin Colorado. in PDF The public comment period endsJuly 30.