Arizona could become a hotspot for alternative energy

[Bluebear]

This would be awesome. Now repeal 1070 and we're cookin'.



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Renewable-energy companies from Florida to Spain have their sights on Arizona, submitting applications for more than 80 solar and wind power plants across the state valued at tens of billions of dollars.

If even a fraction of the proposed plants come to fruition, they could bring thousands of construction jobs, manufacturing potential and other economic benefits, including revenue for the Arizona State Land Department, which funds schools. But no more than a few of the plants will be able get their energy to customers without new high-voltage transmission lines.

Before the Interstate 10 corridor is lined with solar panels and Navajo County builds thousands more wind turbines, developers and utilities need to determine who will pay for those transmission lines and where to put them.

"There are a whole lot more solar projects out there than transmission lines to get the power to Phoenix or Southern California," said Kris Mayes, chairwoman of the Arizona Corporation Commission, which regulates utilities. "We have a whole lot of solar power stranded in the desert."



Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/2010/05/30/20100530biz-Arizona-could-become-hotspot-alternative-energy-plants0530.html#ixzz0pSnJO7tt