WSJ: Bipartisan Backing to Explore Fast Tracking Solar and Wind on Oil-And-Gas Lands
January 26, 2024 In an innovative push for renewable energy development, AJR’s Adam Met has garnered bipartisan support in Congress for exploring the fast-tracking of solar and wind energy projects on federal lands currently leased for oil and gas production. Representatives Mike Levin (D., Calif.) and John Curtis (R., Utah) have officially requested the Department of the Interior to consider allowing renewable energy installations alongside existing fossil fuel operations. This proposal, backed by 18 months of advocacy and research, aims to leverage the underutilized space on these lands for clean energy generation, potentially speeding up the permitting process and utilizing existing infrastructure to reduce costs and environmental impact. The initiative reflects a pragmatic approach to enhancing renewable energy deployment while addressing land use conflicts and supporting the transition of small energy producers towards sustainable practices.