New Energy Frontier

In 2009, Secretary Salazar began implementation of
a comprehensive energy plan, making renewable
energy a priority for the Department. Already, 1,000
square miles of public lands have been identified or
set aside for potential development of solar energy
and for siting of 5,000 miles of transmission lines.
Four exploratory leases for wind energy production
have been awarded on the Outer Continental Shelf.
The Department of the Interior has partnered
with States and other Federal agencies to expedite
renewable energy projects on Interior–managed
lands. These are important accomplishments that
are moving the Nation to a clean energy economy
and will create jobs and reduce the dependence on
foreign oil.
In 2010 and 2011, Interior will continue to make
progress toward a new energy frontier. The
Department has a High-Priority Performance Goal:
Increase approved capacity for production
of renewable (solar, wind, and geothermal)
energy resources on Department of the
Interior managed lands, while ensuring
full environmental review, by at least 9,000
megawatts through 2011.