** Interior goes full steam ahead on solar
------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is working to rapidly expand solar development on public lands. Interior Department, Flickr ([link removed])

The Bureau of Land Management approved two large-scale solar farms in California yesterday, as part of a big push by the Biden administration to permit at least 25,000 megawatts of onshore renewable energy projects by 2025. The permits are also "a reminder that the Biden administration still has tools to combat climate change even if it can’t pass the president’s 'Build Back Better' bill," Sammy Roth points out in ([link removed]) the Los Angeles Times ([link removed]) .

Together, the developments will cover 1,300 acres of federal land and produce up to 465 megawatts of electricity—enough to power more than 130,000 homes, according to Secretary Deb Haaland ([link removed]) . The BLM announced it also plans to approve a third large-scale solar project, which will cover about 2,700 acres and have a 500-MW capacity—enough to power roughly 140,000 homes, early next year.

The three solar farms will be the first inside of a special permitting zone in California, called the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) ([link removed]) area ([link removed]) , which was created under the Obama administration and covers 10.8 million acres of federal land. The land in the DRECP was analyzed for development under Obama, and sensitive wildlife habitat within the area was identified and protected, allowing for expedited permitting.

Haaland praised the DRECP as a model for development of other renewables on public lands, saying ([link removed]) “It really does take a hard look at conservation... They do whatever they can to ensure that these species are protected."

The permit approvals come on the heels of an announcement ([link removed]) earlier this week ([link removed]) that the BLM plans to make 90,000 acres of public land in Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada available for solar development. The land is also in Obama-era solar energy zones, which will allow for expedited permitting if the land is leased by developers.


** BLM to focus on rebuilding in 2022
------------------------------------------------------------
A leaked letter by bureau director Tracy Stone-Manning shows the agency will focus on fixing staffing ([link removed]) shortage ([link removed]) next year. "Our teams aren’t robust enough at present to handle the oncoming workload and expectations," she wrote. "It’s past time to rebuild."

Other priorities on the list ([link removed]) include: conservation, restoration, building a clean energy future and managing recreation. Notably absent? Any mention of reforming the oil and gas leasing system.
Quick hits


** Coal's comeback may be short-lived
------------------------------------------------------------

E&E News ([link removed])


** New Mexico governor calls on state's oil producers to reduce emissions
------------------------------------------------------------

Associated Press ([link removed])


** Biden administration approves big solar projects in renewable permitting push
------------------------------------------------------------

New York Times ([link removed]) | Los Angeles Times ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])


** Wyoming is drawing wealthy investors and homeowners, now it's time to tax them
------------------------------------------------------------

Washington Post ([link removed]) (investors) | KHOL ([link removed]) (homeowners)


** Castner Range proponents encouraged by America the Beautiful report
------------------------------------------------------------

El Paso Herald Post ([link removed])


** Tribe in Nevada sues to protect sacred hot springs, home to toads
------------------------------------------------------------

Nevada Current ([link removed])


** Uinta Basin oil production is down, but methane leaks remain steady
------------------------------------------------------------

Utah Public Radio ([link removed])


** Melting sea ice increases wildfire risk in the Northwest
------------------------------------------------------------

Oregon Public Broadcasting ([link removed])
Quote of the day
Our national parks critically need the Build Back Better Act. They are on the frontlines of climate change and desperately need the bill’s funding for adaptation."
— John Garder, NPCA's senior director for budget and appropriations, N ([link removed]) ational Parks Traveler ([link removed])
Picture this


** @G ([link removed]) lacierNPS ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
This one goes out to northern latitude dwellers! We’ve made it. Longer days on the horizon. Happy Solstice! NPS 📸/ Tim Rains

============================================================
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Medium ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
Copyright © 2021 Center for Western Priorities, All rights reserved.
You've signed up to receive Look West updates.

Center for Western Priorities
1999 Broadway
Suite 520
Denver, CO 80202
USA
** View this on the web ([link removed])

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])