Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan unveiled

U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell joined local and federal leaders to tour different solar and wind energy facilities in the Coachella Valley Tuesday. She celebrated the desert’s efforts toward clean energy and unveiled the draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan.

The plan will set aside 22.5 million acres of California desert for wildlife and recreation, while allowing needed renewable energy development in appropriately-sited places.

“It has been five years in the making,” said Jewell. “Understanding there are areas right for development. There are areas that are too special to develop. Understanding where transmission might run so businesses have certainty that if they put energy into permitting a project, they can make a return on that investment.”

It’s all part of President Barrack Obama’s climate action plan to create jobs, cut carbon pollution and create clean energy.

“California’s a leader here. We need to create jobs, alternative energy does that. We need to clean up the air, alternative energy does that,” said (D) Sen. Barbara Boxer.

It’s not a done deal yet. If you’ve got ideas and opinions, you can go to drecp.org and submit comments and concerns.

“This is an opportunity for everybody to say did we get it right? Did we not get it right? How should it be changed? That’s what the opportunity is for the public going forward,” said Janice Schneider, the assistant secretary of Land & Minerals Management.

Secretary Jewell said the Coachella Valley is an example of the plan already being put to work.

“Lessons are being learned here in dealing with the climate in California that could be applied across the country and around the world,” said Jewell.