Western Renewable Energy Zones | W. Governors' Assoc. and U.S. Dept. Energy

Working with interested parties from across the West, the WREZ (Western Renewable Energy Zones) project is delineating those areas in the region with high quality and developable renewable energy resources. Some of those resources are concentrated and also have low, land-development conflicts. The purpose in identifying these areas is to expedite the development and delivery of clean and renewable energy to where it is needed. For concentrated resources, the WREZ project will help identify transmission lines needed to access them. Renewable energy resources are being analyzed in 11 states, two Canadian provinces, and areas in Mexico that are part of the Western Interconnection. Western Governors are expected to act on final recommendations for Phase 1 during their Annual Meeting in June. [Draft preliminary map of qualified resource areas (13mb pdf).]