A 60-day public comment period has commenced this week on a proposal to add 1 gigawatt of clean, renewable energy from solar. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Laura Daniel-Davis announced new programs to encourage solar energy projects on public lands across the western United States and help meet the Biden-Harris administration’s ambitious solar power based renewable energy goals.

From the press release:

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will develop an updated plan to guide responsible solar energy development on public lands through an updated Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS), which will help accelerate and continue momentum for the clean energy economy. The BLM is also initiating reviews of three proposed solar projects in Arizona that could add one gigawatt of clean energy to the grid.

“This Administration is committed to expanding clean energy development to address climate change, enhance America’s energy security and provide for good-paying union jobs,” said Secretary Haaland. “Our review of these proposed projects in Arizona, and a new analysis of the role public lands can play in furthering solar energy production, will help ensure we keep the momentum going to build a clean energy future, lower costs for families and create robust conservation outcomes on the nation’s lands and waters.”

https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/secretary-haaland-announces-new-steps-accelerate-solar-energy-development-public-lands

You can read the entire press release at doi.gov.