In response to the rising demand for electricity, America is taking an all-of-the-above approach to ensure that there is a reliable energy supply. Renewable power sources are an essential part of this strategy, and, as such, two congressional leaders have devised a unique method of accelerating the construction timeline for wind and solar farms. U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced the Co-Location Energy Act, which allows developers to more easily build renewable power plants on federally-owned lands that have already been devoted to electricity generation. For example, if oil drilling has occurred on their territory, the government can now encourage energy companies to construct a solar array next to the rigs in a process called “co-location.”
In a press release, Sen. Curtis elaborated on the purpose of the bill: “Innovation and efficiency are key as we work to meet energy demands and reduce emissions. The Co-Location Energy Act is a common sense approach that leverages already-leased federal lands for renewable energy development. By expediting permitting and ensuring that previously disturbed areas are fully utilized, this bill strengthens energy supply to the grid without compromising existing operations.”
Photo Courtesy Senator John Curtis
Sen. Curtis’ point about fully utilizing disturbed lands is particularly important for the sustainable growth of the renewable energy industry. By co-locating power plants on the same plot of territory, the government is confining the negative environmental impacts from the facilities’ construction and operation to a small radius. These dense power generation clusters will reduce the need to sacrifice valuable farmland and pristine natural areas for the sake of energy infrastructure. Due to this, the bill has been lauded by environmentalists and industrialists alike.
The Co-Location Energy Act also serves as a testament to the power of bipartisan cooperation. Adam Met, the Founder and Executive Director of Planet Reimagined, served as an advisor to the bill’s authors and recently celebrated the collaborative spirit that catalyzed this piece of legislation: “Bipartisan action on energy is a win for everyone. Planet Reimagined’s work on the co-location model finds common ground to build new renewable energy projects on top of federal oil and gas land. I applaud the leadership of Senators Curtis and Hickenlooper and their work to highlight the potential for new energy solutions in the western US by effectively opening up 18 Million acres of…land for new solar and wind projects. This can generate up to 2000 GW of new electricity, and will go a long way towards securing America’s energy future.”
