Major Solar document released, available online

[magicgroove]

The BLM has released a major document affecting the future of
industrial-scale solar development in our desert. This Draft document
proposes four areas of the SoCal desert be designated as "Solar Energy
Zones" (SEZs), where solar development would be encouraged.

The four SEZs in California include one near around El Centro; one at
Pisgah near Newberry Springs; one out Hwy. 62 at Iron Mountain; and
one at Desert Center, east of JTNP near I-10.

You can view the entire "Solar Energy Development Draft Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement" on-line at http://solareis.anl.gov/documents/dpeis/index.cfm.
(You can also order a DVD or CD-ROM.) I suggest looking at the
Summary and then at Volume 3, which covers the California SEZs.
There's also a ton of further analysis and resources, including lots
of maps and other information about the affected environment and the
technology involved.

The Press Release from the Dept. of Interior announcing the release of
the PEIS and explaining the program can be viewed at:
http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Salazar-Chu-Announce-Next-Step-in-Nations-March-toward-Renewable-Energy-Future.cfm

Be aware that you can comment on this document, deadline March 17,
2011. More info here: http://solareis.anl.gov/index.cfm.