July 25, 2012. The U.S. Interior Department identified 17 zones of public lands in six western states as"priority areas"for solar development, where proposed projects will be rapidly approved. The zones, in California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona and Utah, total about 285,000 acres of public land, and the agency estimated they may eventually be used for about 23.7 gigawatts of power-generating capacity. More than half of the area, about 154,000 acres, is in California. By completing environmental impact statements in advance, the Interior Department is encouraging developers to plan solar farms in the zones. The agency is also offering faster and easier permitting, better mitigation strategies and economic incentives. The plan will lead to"faster, smarter and better"permitting procedures and is a"significant milestone"for President Barack Obama’s administration.