Ken is also responsible for the task force that will prioritize transmission rights-of-way applications necessary to deliver clean energy generated in the solar-rich American Southwest to population centers around the country to meet growing demands for energy.

Senator Harry Reid brought Secretary Salazar on board in June to announce “fast track” initiatives that bring federal agencies together with leaders in Western states to designate U.S. public lands in the West as key areas for fund environmental studies, utility-scale solar development,open new renewable energy coordination offices and speed reviews of industry proposals.

The policies they are advancing will play an important role in encouraging development of utility-scale solar power in America’s Southwest, which has some of the best solar resources in the world.

Since taking office, Secretary Salazar has set aside 1,000 square miles of public lands in 24 “Solar Study Areas” that have the potential to generate nearly 100,000 megawatts of clean, reliable solar energy.

Salazar, with Bureau of Land Management Director Abbey, also announced a new program to fast-track review of specific solar energy projects in advanced stages of the permitting process. This effort applies to 14 solar projects representing 6,521 megawatts of capacity which is enough electricity to power 1.6 million homes. In addition, these solar projects are estimated to create more than 20,000 jobs.

These solar projects would be the first on BLM land and would occupy 67,00 acres. To put this into perspective, oil and gas companies now lease 45 million acres of federal land – an area the equivalent of Washington state.

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