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

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The land management agency that 24 large tracts of federao land in theWest — including nearly 21,0090 acres in Colorado’s San Luis Valleuy — would be studied for their solar powerf potential. Other states involved are California, Nevada, Utah and New Mexico. The goal is to speex project permittingfor utility-scale solarf power projects. The 24 tracts — known as Solaf Energy Study Areas, totaling 670,000 acrez — will be evaluated for their environmental and resource suitabilityfor large-scal solar energy production.
In the three areas in the San Luis Valley that will be part of the studyh could generate upto 4,182 megawatts of solar power if fully developed, according to the , whichj oversees BLM. Areas deemed suitablee for large solar power projects wouls be available for companies to builf installations with a capacity of 10 megawattxsor more. Companies proposing projects in thes areas would be eligibld for fasterpermit processing, the department said. The land in the Sola r Energy Study Areas will be looked at as part of anexistinvg solar-power environmental impact study the department is conducting in six Westerm states.
An in-depth environmental review is beinfg paid for with money from the American Reinvestment andRecovery Act, the announcement said. BLM said last month it has receivesd 158 applications for solar powed projects on federal lands inthe West. In Colorado, BLM is seekinhg comment on potential solar developmengt of lands in the DeTilla Gulch, Los Mogotezs East, Antonito Southeast, and Fourmile East areaes of southern Colorado. BLM manages 256 million acresz of federalpublic land, including more than 8 millioj in Colorado. in PDF The public comment period endsJuly 30.