With the Obama Administration showing an increasing commitment to environmentally responsible renewable energy development, it was no surprise to learn that the Interior Department had approved two major solar projects in California a few weeks ago. What’s more newsworthy is how the state and federal government worked with organizations such as Defenders of Wildlife, the Natural Resources Defense Council and The Wilderness Society to choose sites (in this case, the Lucerne Valley and Imperial Valley) that would lessen the projects’ potential impacts on wildlife, natural resources and the environment. “The ‘fast-track’ process has been a learning experience for all of us, and the lessons we’ve learned here will ultimately lead to better planning, improved siting, and faster turnaround for renewable energy projects in the future,” said Jim Lyons, Defenders of Wildlife’s senior director for renewable energy. “To reduce its impact on wildlife and the environment, the Lucerne Solar Project was located on lands of lower habitat quality and near already degraded areas. And the Imperial Valley Solar Project will be developed in phases to lessen its impacts on wildlife, air and water resources. These projects illustrate how renewable energy developers can build our clean energy future in smart and environmentally responsible ways.” Hopefully this collaboration between project developers, federal and state agencies, and conservation organizations will set a new standard for producing clean energy in an environmentally-responsible way. –Bret Love