U.S. INTERIOR CHIEF TOUTS RENEWABLE ENERGY ZONES

clipped from www.planetaazul.com.mx WASHINGTON, US; March 25, 2009.- "You have a map that starts out as a very huge map that shows you have the huge potential for solar energy in the Southwest but then you have to overlay that with areas such as national parks and national monuments, where we won't allow any development of renewable energy facilities," Salazar said. He said planners also will figure out ways to obtain alternative energy while still protecting endangered species. While the process won't be easy, Salazar said the country needs to develop its huge potential in renewable energy, especially off the Atlantic coast where he forsees rapid development of massive wind farms. "You are going to see significant conflict over renewable energy and how we site renewable energy facilities," Salazar told Reuters in an interview. President Barack Obama has promised to invest $150 billion over 10 years to promote clean and efficient energy, including a doubling of renewable energy production over three years.