Full Title: Establishing Utility-Scale Solar Projects: Federal Involvement
Author(s): Arthur G. Fraas, Valkyrie Buffa, Lindsay Rich
Publisher(s): Resources for the Future
Publication Date: May 11, 2021
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Description (excerpt):
Decarbonizing the electric utility sector will require a substantial investment in renewable energy projects. This case study examines the federal permitting process for utility-scale solar projects sited on federal, state, tribal, and private lands to identify the possible barriers associated with achieving federal and state renewable energy goals. Section 2 provides an overview of utility-scale solar projects covered by the study. Section 3 details the permitting processes governing federal funding, siting, and permitting processes for utility-scale solar projects covered by this case study, with a focus on the time required to obtain a permit. Section 4 summarizes our findings and concludes the paper.