Maps were published today for the proposed Solar energy areas.

Press Release:
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/newsroom/2009/june/NR_0629_2009.html

http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/energy/solar_energy/Solar_Energy_Study_Areas.html

California:
http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medialib/blm/wo/MINERALS__REALTY__AND_RESOURCE_PROTECTION_/energy/solar_and_wind/solar_energy_study.Par.84644.File.dat/SESAs_CA_Jun_5_09.pdf

Since I do not travel the area frequently, hard for me to remember these areas east and northeast of the Marine Corps base by just looking at the map. I am concerned if this means the base will continue to look west for expansion.

I don't think the base is going to be expanding any time soon.

I will have to look deeper into the press releases. Thanks for posting up.

To date, this field of power towers is the largest planned Concentrated Solar project in the world. Meanwhile, through contracts with a number of other solar companies, PG&E will soon be operating over 2,000 MW of solar energy. California state law requires each investor-owned utility to supply at least 20% of their grid with renewable energy. Source: PG&E [PDF]. Photo: Pictured here is Solar Two, also in the Mojave Desert, which has a similar design to the upcoming plant;
http://go635254.s3.amazonaws.com/ecoworldly/files/2008/04/solar_two_.jpg
http://go635254.s3.amazonaws.com/ecoworldly/files/2008/04/stirling-energy.jpg
http://ecoworldly.com/files/2008/04/solar_two.jpg

allternative energy (http://www.heavennyc.com)