The large-scale study will assess how proposed solar farms and other renewable energy projects could impact animals, plants, and habitats.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced $4.9 million in funding to support studies of the impacts of renewable energy projects on local ecosystems and wildlife.
As Greg Haas reports for KLAS, “The information collected could help the BLM decide the best places for projects as they come up for environmental review, and could help to fast-track some permits by doing wildlife studies ahead of time.”
Patrick Donnelly, Great Basin director at the Center for Biological Diversity, says that in addition to data collection, “We need strong new planning tools to give federal officials the authority to prioritize certain low conflict projects while denying projects that harm endangered species.”
Eight of the 10 largest proposed U.S. solar projects are in Nevada. “Those projects will eventually produce more than a quarter of the 25 gigawatts of electricity the Biden administration intends to permit on public lands by the end of 2025.”
Read the full story: $4.9 million set aside for wildlife, plant studies ahead of solar, wind projects on public lands
BLM To Rescind Public Lands Rule
The change will downgrade conservation, once again putting federal land at risk for mining and other extractive uses.
Key Wins for Conservation in 2024
The year brought some important victories to advocates for public lands, national monuments, and the reclamation of Indigenous history.
Rural Nevada Counties Struggle to Keep up with Solar Projects
Local officials are calling for state regulations that would require federal land managers to enter agreements with local jurisdictions before moving forward with major renewable energy projects.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
Satanic Place Names
From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority