In response to public requests, state and federal officials have extended the public comment period for the draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan for 45 days. The comment period, originally scheduled to close on January 9, will be extended through February 23. The draft DRECP is an energy and conservation plan covering more than 22 million acres of land in San Bernardino, Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego counties. The plan is a collaborative effort between the federal Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Energy Commission and California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The plan proposes to protect areas in the California desert that are important to wildlife, recreation, cultural and other uses while facilitating the timely permitting of solar, wind and geothermal energy projects.
