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California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a first-of-its-kind agreement with the Department of the Interior (DOI) to work together on the planning and siting of renewable energy projects.

The memorandum of understanding commits the federal government to work with California on the reviewing, approving and permitting of renewable energy projects in the state.

The DOI and California Natural Resources Agency will put together maps of the state detailing areas suitable for development and those that should be conserved.

“With coordinated environmental studies, good land-use planning and zoning and priority processing, we can accelerate responsible renewable energy production on US public lands in California,” says Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

The agreement will also expedite projects already in planning that are due to start construction in 2010 so that they can access funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The acceleration in the pipeline of renewable projects could see over 7000 MW of new wind, solar and geothermal energy for the state.
Governor Schwarzenegger recently signed an order directing the California Air Resources Board to increase the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard to 33% by 2020.

Earlier this week the Governor also signed in new legislation that will see a major programme to improve the energy efficiency of the state’s existing residential and commercial building stock.

The new programme will aim to tackle the 9 million or so homes, three-quarters of California’s total, that were built prior to the state’s first set of energy efficiency standards.

For further information:
gov.ca.gov

Related stories:
California Governor sets target of 33% renewable energy by 2020 (17-Sept)
California plans to make “energy efficiency a way of life” (25-Sept)
$1 billion energy efficiency programme for low-income Californians (13-Nov 2008)