News
Western farmers meet with Interior secretary
Posted: Sep 14, 2011 8:35 PM by Gene Cotton
Updated: Sep 14, 2011 8:41 PM
DENVER (AP) - The director of renewable energy for the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union says transmission lines could be an economic development tool for farmers and ranchers.
Bill Midcap likens transmission lines to railroads or interstate highways.
He and others met on Wednesday with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, whose department is preparing a supplement to a plan it drafted on solar development on public land in California, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona.
Midcap says many farmers and ranchers have the potential for wind or solar energy on their land but don't live near transmission lines that could deliver that power to cities.
Some residents don't want new power lines crossing their land. Midcap is exploring whether it makes sense to pay landowners who agree to it.
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