TUCSON, Ariz. (January 18, 2013) – The Department of the Interior and the Arizona Bureau of Land Management jointly announced guidelines for renewable energy development in Arizona. The decision comes as part of the Arizona Restoration Design Energy Project (RDEP), an initiative which has sought to minimize the impact of renewable energy development in Arizona on wildlife and water resources.

The following is a statement from Matt Clark, Defenders of Wildlife Southwest representative:

“Large-scale energy development is all about location, and this project is an effective first step to incentivize renewable energy development in areas where impacts to wildlife and water resources can be minimized.  We are encouraged to see the Arizona Bureau of Land Management (BLM) take this approach to future renewable energy siting.

“The Restoration Design Energy Project should work to protect sensitive wildlife and the habitats they live in.  We hope that other states will follow the Arizona BLM’s lead.”

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Links:

Learn more about what Defenders is doing to mitigate conflict in renewable energy development.

 

Contact:

Alexander Slippen, aslippen@defenders.org, (202) 772-3226

Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.organd follow us on Twitter @DefendersNews.

For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.  

 

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