Free Webinar dealing with Issues Related to Developing Solar & Wind Energy

One of the prime stumbling blocks in developing solar and wind energy has been dealing with siting and permitting issues on federal lands. The Obama Administration targeted significant monies in the 2009 stimulus bill (ARRA) for wind and solar projects that begin construction by the end of 2010 and Secretary Salazar put in place directives for the Bureau of Land Management to “fast-track” permitting of priority wind and solar projects. Interior has put in place new personnel and new policies to expedite renewable energy permitting. Yet, permitting continues to lag and opposition to some wind and solar projects over water, endangered species and land use has threatened their timely completion. The panel will discuss the current siting and permitting processes on Federal lands, and explore how the allocation of land and some of the new permitting mechanisms might affect current applicants and future developments.

Course Outline

•Overview of the current BLM FLPMA wind/solar permitting process

•Recent announcements regarding solar rent policy

•Will Congress or Interior change the currently used FLPMA right-of-way mechanism for wind and solar to a lease arrangement? What would the impacts be on developers?

•What is the status of the 2010 priority wind and solar projects?

•How are applicants and BLM addressing environmental challenges –sage grouse and wind, water and solar and Senator Feinstein’s proposed withdrawal in the Mohave Desert

•IS the wind energy PEIS documents working to expedite permitting? If not, what more needs to be done? What is the status of the solar PEIS?

Moderator:

Rebecca W. Watson, Partner, WELBORN SULLIVAN MECK & TOOLEY

Panelists:

Andrew C. Bell, Attorney at Law, THE LAW OFFICE OF ANDREW C. BELL

Ray Brady, Manager, Energy Policy Act Team, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Jennifer Johnson JD, Director, ESA | ENERGY

David Lazerwitz, Attorney at Law, FARELLA BRAUN + MARTEL LLP

Tom Pogacnik, Deputy State Director, Natural Resources,

source: BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

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Short URL: http://www.solarthermalmagazine.com/?p=2690