The Biden administration has finalized a plan to boost solar energy development on federal lands across 11 western states. This is part of a broader effort to speed up the approval and construction of major infrastructure projects.
The White House is focused on quickly approving projects like power transmission, solar, and wind farms to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change. This initiative is also a key element of the administration’s Investing in America agenda, which is being highlighted ahead of the upcoming presidential election.
We’ve been working hard to improve the federal permitting process, said Natalie Quillian, Deputy Chief of Staff at the White House.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has identified 31 million acres in states such as Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah as prime locations for solar energy development. These areas offer high solar potential with minimal impact on wildlife and plant habitats, making it easier to obtain permits for new projects.
Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency EPA has conditionally approved a rule in Maricopa County, Arizona, that will create emissions reduction credits. Companies that switch their vehicle fleets to cleaner alternatives can sell these credits to semiconductor factories planned in the area, helping the region meet federal air quality standards.
Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, has seen increased investment in chip manufacturing due to federal incentives. The new credits will support the opening of these facilities.
The administration also reported that its efforts have already sped up environmental permitting, reducing the average review time by six months. They also claimed that more projects have been approved under Biden’s administration compared to the previous one.