Obama administration approves giant renewables projects
Department of Interior rubber-stamps 500MW of wind and solar projects
The Obama administration has this week approved two major renewable energy projects on public land, and taken a significant step towards delivering a new generation of US offshore wind farms.
Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar granted approval to the 300MW Sonoran Solar PV Project in Arizona, which is being planned by a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, and the 186MW Tule Wind Project, proposed for a site 70 miles east of San Diego by a subsidiary of Spanish energy giant Iberdrola Renewables.
The combined projects are expected to create up to 700 jobs during construction and generate enough energy for 150,000 homes.
“We have made steady and swift progress in carrying out President Obama’s initiative for a rapid and responsible move to large-scale production of renewable energy on public land,” Salazar said in a statement.
“We have green-lighted 25 projects in the last two years, including solar, wind and geothermal facilities that are generating good jobs, strengthening local economies and laying the foundation for a sustainable energy future.
“Together, these projects will produce the clean energy equivalent of nearly 18 coal-fired power plants, so what’s happening here is nothing short of a renewable energy revolution.”
The announcement came as Salazar provided further details on plans for an offshore wind transmission line on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf. Continue reading more…
