I am all about solar power, and the more they put in the more viable it becomes. However, it uses a lot of land, and has impacts all of it's own. I hope this process moves quickly, and the science behind the decisions is sound. We have rapidly expanding energy needs in the west, and it seems that new coal plants are not going to be picking up that slack. Solar is one viable alternative, but it also must be vetted on a case by case basis.

What would be even more ideal is photo-voltaic technology to get to the place where there is a ten year payback time on installation. (Right now it's thirty) With a ten year payback you will see acres of PVs going onto peoples roofs, with almost zero added negative environmental impact.

Wow, this should leave no doubt that our government is run by big oil, big coal and nuclear energy companies.
Environmental concerns?, so when has the Bush Administration or any republican ever showed any environmental concerns for our American environment.

Another blatant effort to suppress energy freedom for America and all it's citizens by the elite power structure. Using government regulation to punish the clean energy gains and technology that is America's future and will be a very serious component in saving our lives and preserving the world for our children's future.

They don't seem to like any regulation unless it promotes the elitist conservative agenda of corporate profit and control at all costs.

The question all Idahoans and Americans should ask every conservative republican, is why do you hate Americans and the American government so much that you would destroy the American society for the sake of corporate dominance.

What you think Mr. Crapo?

Shameful.!

This new technology could occupy a lot of land, and it might be closed to the public.

It will have environmental impacts, many not anticipated. Two years of study is a good thing.

Why can't solar "farms" be built on private sunny land if they want a jump start?

Northeast of San Luis Obispo in Central California there is vast wide open space of ranches and BLM land. Two major solar installations are projected there. These would move California towards energy independence, and I strongly support their construction. Area ranchers are even more strongly opposed and some leading local environmentalists are not sure which way to go. The BLM will hold a hearing in San Luis Obispo on July 9 and we may get a sense of which way the agency is leaning. I too am suspicious that Bush's oil company buddies are influencing this process, but it won't hurt to air the issues until the guy is done. What matters is that solar get kick-started any number of ways and maybe the best way is to use the rooftops of large government buildings, an effort that is sometimes talked about but has yet to get off the ground --- at least in our area and I suspect also in southern Idaho, where the sun burns as bright as it does here.