DoD Confict Areas for Solar Towers (CEERT), DRECP

Description and data downloaded from DRECP Website: 

This information and data is provided in support of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. Attachment 1 provides a Department of Defense (DoD) comprehensive matrix detailing potential military operational constraints by Development Focus Area. Attachment 2 provides associated conflict maps by renewable energy technology. 

Regarding the color coding:
·         The red areas represent locations where there is a high likelihood of unacceptable risk to national security, and then technology identified might impact military operations, testing and training.  This means that should a DFA be established at this location, DoD will closely scrutinize any projects proposing that technology. Potential mitigation actions may alleviate the risk; however, if mitigation is not possible, then DoD may be required to object to the project at these locations. 
 
·         The red hashed areas represent locations where there is a high likelihood of an unacceptable risk to national security, and that the technology identified might impact military operations, testing and training, should DoD expand military operations in these areas. These areas are currently connected with on-going land expansion efforts around Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twenty-Nine Palms. Once a decision on the expansion is made, DoD will likely object to any proposed project on land included in the expansion area.
 
·         The orange areas represent locations where there is a medium likelihood of an unacceptable risk to national security, and that the technology identified might impact military operations, testing and training. This means that should a DFA be established at this location, DoD will scrutinize the developer’s proposed project. Potential mitigation actions may alleviate the risk; however, if mitigation is not possible, then DoD may be required to object to the project at these locations. 
 
·         The yellow areas represent locations where there is a low likelihood of an unacceptable risk to national security, but that the technology identified probably will not impact military operations, testing and training. This means that should a DFA be established at this location, DoD will review the developer’s proposed project for potential impact.

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Generally, only two renewable energy technologies currently present a significant mission compatibility issue for DoD operations in this region: 1) wind turbines and 2) solar power towers. For each of these technologies, conflict areas in the data are labeled with a “W” for wind turbines and “ST” for solar power towers. Individual areas or polygons then assigned a separate letter. This creates a nomenclature where compatibility issues with wind turbines are labeled ST-A, ST-B, ST-C, etc. The labels are correlated to the maps that are provided.
 
There is a third energy technology for which the labels start with “WN” for wind turbines under military training routes. These areas underlie low-level military training routes (MTRs) or special use airspace (SUAs). While wind turbines in these areas may be compatible, the areas are identified as warranting additional scrutiny during the siting process.
 
Generally, photovoltaic systems on or near SUAs or NTRs present little to no conflict to military operations, testing and training. Geothermal plants likewise generally pose little impact to military operations, testing and training.
 
Besides the identified DFAs, several of the stakeholders requested that the Clearinghouse process further evaluate renewable energy zones identified by the California Wind Energy Association (CALWEA) and center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies (CEERT). As there is a possibility that some of these areas could be added as DFAs, the Department of Interior requested that DoD analyze them for potential conflicts as well. The results of that analysis are included in the matrix by renewable energy technology but show separately in the attached maps.
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Data extracted from WgO P3710.39D Chg 5. From: Commanding General, 3D Marine Aircraft Wing (AC/S G-3) Subj: CHANGE 5 to WgO P3710.39D; BDU-48 ORDNANCE LIMITATIONS Fixed-wing LAT Training Areas All published VR and IR routes within the 3d MAW local flying area, as defined by host air station Air Operations Manuals, are authorized for the conduct of LAT training down to an altitude of 300 feet AGL or the published minimum altitude, whichever is greater. Care must be exercised to ensure that the route width is adequate for the type flight anticipated. Scheduling is per routine scheduling procedures published in the FLIP AP/1B.