Public Lands, the Solar Fast Track, and a Greener Future ... hopefully

by jamess

In case you didn't know, Solar, Wind, Geothermal Projects, are being "Fast Track" by the Obama Administration.

Fast Tracking attempts to minimize the red tape, in order to get the boots on the ground as soon as feasible.

They are OUR Public lands by the way.  We should use them to secure our Energy Future while protecting our wonderful Natural Heritage.

Here are the highlights:

BLM> California> California Desert District> Alternative Energy> Fast-Track Projects

Fast-Track Renewable Energy Projects

Solar

Ivanpah BrightSource Solar Project

The 400-megwatt project would incorporate seven 459-foot tall power towers and 214,000 heliostats (each holding two flat mirrors).

The project’s power plants would share an administrative complex/construction logistics area on approximately 4,073 acres of public land.

continued at Daily Kos....

Mr. Abbey Goes to Washington, Cleans Up MMS. Or Not.

by RLMiller

Last week President Obama announced that the Minerals Management Service would be split into three parts, informally titled Money, Safety, and Giving Away The Store.  Elizabeth Birnbaum has resigned as head of the MMS, and Mr. Abbey has been nominated to serve as acting head.   The plan doesn't go far enough to satisfy Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), who believes that it's time to abolish MMS and start anew.  Nor does it please Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, which has scathing comments about Ken Salazar's "erratic leadership" and wants to see MMS' environmental and safety functions transferred outside the Interior Department entirely.  But is Mr. Abbey a good choice to clean up the MMesS?

continued at Daily Kos....