As part of House Republicans’ American Energy Initiative, the House Natural Resources Committee today held the first in a series of oversight hearings on “Identifying Roadblocks to Wind and Solar Energy on Public Lands and Waters.” House Republicans are committed to advancing an all-of-the-above energy approach, which includes renewable energy, in order to create jobs, lower energy costs and decrease our dependence on foreign energy.

“Our federal lands are intended to be multiple-use lands – open to recreation, energy production and other types of job-creating activities. Yet too often we’ve seen attempts by Congressional Democrats and the Obama Administration to place our public lands off-limits to any type of economic activity,” said Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Chairman Doug Lamborn (CO-05). “The United States has some of the most promising areas, especially in the West, for solar energy development. However, the Interior Department is offering less than 1 percent of this land for streamlined solar energy production. Steps should be taken to reduce the regulatory uncertainly, expedite the permitting process and remove roadblocks in order to quickly and efficiently expand the development of renewable energy projects on public lands.”

At the hearing, Members highlighted numerous examples of roadblocks to developing wind and solar projects on federal lands.

• To advance the over $80 million set aside for renewable energy projects in President Obama’s so-called Stimulus bill, the Administration created a “fast-track” list that initially contained 34 projects (14 solar, 7 wind, 6 geothermal, and 7 transmission). Of these, only 12 were approved by the end of 2010 (9 solar, 1 wind, 2 geothermal).

• In 2011, BLM, in consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Parks Service (NPS), gave “priority status” to 20 projects (10 solar, 5 wind, and 5 geothermal). Of these, one geothermal project has been approved. There are currently 95 solar permit and 47 wind permit applications pending within the BLM.

• BLM has instituted the creation of 24 proposed “solar energy zones” (SEZ) on public lands in six western states that could be used for priority development areas for utility-scale projects. Of the 120 million acres of BLM managed land in these states, only 22 million acres would be available for solar development. Of this, only 677,400 acres have been identified as proposed SEZ’s –less than 1% of BLM land that the Department has made available to streamline solar energy production.

The Natural Resources Committee is committed to advancing an all-of-the-above American energy agenda. In the future, the Committee will focus on wind, solar, hydropower and biomass legislation through the American Energy Initiative.

To keep up to date, “like” the American Energy Initiative on Facebook, or visit
/americanenergy.

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