October 14,
2009 - California state officials
have signed new legislation for what
they call "a model of federal-state
initiative and cooperation" for
reviewing and applying funding for
renewable energy development, in a push
to meet Gov. Schwarzenegger's mandated
goal of a third of its energy received
via renewable sources by 2020.
"Together, we are creating a framework
to expedite a robust, science-based
process for siting, reviewing, approving
and permitting renewable energy projects
on Interior-managed lands in
California," said Secretary of the
Interior Ken Salazar,
in a statement.
Among the agreement's provisions:
- Establish a group of representatives
to guide cooperative work;
- Develop a strategy to identify areas
for renewable energy development;
- Identify specific zones for renewable
energy based on environmental, wildlife,
and conservation criteria -- and
prioritize application processing for
solar development within them, to meet
the federal Recovery Act's deadline of
construction by 2010; and
- Identify, with federal and state
agencies, energy and transmission needs
and opportunities, and designate
transmission needs and corridors.
California's Natural Resources Agency
and the Department of the Interior also
have signed a MOU to work together to
develop
a "science-based process" to review,
approve, and issue permits for
renewable energy applications in the
state, and map out the best areas for
development and conservation. The DoD
also will be brought in, as some lines
in transmission corridors may need to
cross DoD lands.