A to Z: Comprehensive Community Planning for Energy Projects for the DoD

Summary The City of Surprise and Arizona State University (ASU) seek to work hand-in-hand with the state, cities, counties, tribes, and military installations to create an Arizona Military & Energy Land Use Plan (AME-UP). The AME-Up plan will provide best practices for siting of renewable energy projects within the State of Arizona, one of the highest activity states for both military use and renewable energy projects. Rather than a static document, we propose a multi-dimensional tool that can be used as an interactive community planning resource that will spur discussion and collaborative siting for renewable energy projects, while respecting parameters and requirements of military bases and installations. By utilizing general and comprehensive land use plans, existing Renewable Energy Development Areas and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Section 368 West Wide Energy Corridors, we can mitigate or prevent incompatible energy development activities that are likely to impair the continued operational utility of Arizonas Department of Defense (DoD) bases and installations. The end result will be effective collaboration, including early engagement and dialogue between state and local governments, the DoD, and energy developers to ensure that proposed energy projects may proceed without compromising the DoDs military testing and operational training.