Renewable energy project in Arizona, Nevada get US approval

US Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell has announced approval of three major renewable energy projects in Arizona and Nevada set to power 200,000 homes. The three projects, when built, are expected to deliver up to 520 megawatts to the electricity grid and support more than 900 jobs through construction and operations, an Interior Department release said Monday. The 350-megawatt Midland Solar Energy Project and the 70-megawatt New York Canyon Geothermal Project in Nevada, and the 100-megawatt Quartzsite Solar Energy Project in Arizona, will join the 25 utility-scale solar facilities, nine wind farms and 11 geothermal plants the Interior Department has approved since 2009. "These projects reflect the Obama Administration's commitment to expand responsible domestic energy production on our public lands and diversify our nation's energy portfolio," Jewell said. "Today's approvals will help bolster rural economies by generating good jobs and reliable power and advance our national energy security." All three projects underwent extensive environmental review and public comment, the department said, and the companies involved have agreed to undertake significant mitigation efforts to minimize impacts to wildlife, water, historical, cultural and other resources.