An Arizona bill, sponsored by Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Prescott, is calling for more renewable energy pilot programs on federal lands, making the state the “solar capital of the world,” according to an Arizona official.
Senior energy programs manager for the Governor’s Office on Energy Policy Eric Fitzer and La Paz County Board of Supervisors Chairman D.L. Wilson testified in support of bill H.R. 596 on Tuesday in front of a subcommittee, asking for additional federal land to be leased to expand and encourage renewable energy development. According to the bill, royalties from energy sales would be shared with state, local and federal governments. In addition, 25 percent of the proceeds from the projects would be placed in a conservation fund.
Fitzer told a House Natural Resources subcommittee that access to federal land would help Arizona reach its full renewable energy potential and further develop solar power. He noted that the federal government owns 42 percent of the state’s nearly 73 million acres.
To read the bill in its entirety, click here.
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