U.S. approves three renewable energy projects

The U.S. Department of the Interior announced Monday that it had approved three major renewable energy projects in two western states of Nevada and Arizona to boost domestic energy production.

The 350-megawatt Midland Solar Energy Project and the 70- megawatt New York Canyon Geothermal Project are located in Nevada, and the 100-megawatt Quartzsite Solar Energy Project is located in Arizona, said the department in a statement.

These three projects are expected to generate enough electricity to power nearly 200,000 homes and help support more than 900 jobs through construction and operations.

“These projects reflect the Obama Administration’s commitment to expand responsible domestic energy production on our public lands and diversify our nation’s energy portfolio,” said Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, who took office in April.

As steward for about 20 percent of the U.S. lands, including national parks and national wildlife refuges, the U.S. Department of the Interior also oversees the development of conventional and renewable energy supplies on public lands and waters. It has approved 25 utility-scale solar facilities, nine wind farms and 11 geothermal plants since 2009.