WASHINGTON – The Department of the Interior has dropped one of three proposed “solar energy zones” in Arizona because of environmental concerns about the site, the department said Thursday.
Bullard Wash, in southwestern Yavapai County, was one of seven areas eliminated when the department released a revised draft of its long-term plan to streamline solar energy development in the West.
The revised plan for Arizona leaves zones in Gillespie, near the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in Maricopa County, and in Brenda, near Quartzsite just north of Interstate 10.
Thursday’s announcement reduces the total number of zones from 24 to 17 nationally. The sites that were cut can still host solar-energy plants, but will not benefit from the streamlined process of the zones, which will have ready-made standards to cut time and money out of development.
The 17 remaining plots comprise 285,000 acres in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Colorado and Utah. More zones can be added, but department officials said they are not yet looking to do that…
Read More: Two Arizona sites remain on list eyed for solar power development via Cronkite News