BLM-Arizona highlighted the many options for renewable energy production on public lands at the White Mountains Earth Day celebration on April 19 in Show Low, Ariz. The festival featured a series of speakers and dozens of educational exhibits with ideas to save water and energy, increase recycling, plant native vegetation, and live lightly on the land.

Safford Field Office public affairs specialist Diane Drobka and public contact representative Angie Ortiz set up the BLM’s national renewable energy exhibit, which the Washington Office provided. Drobka and Ortiz gave the exhibit a new twist to tie into an ongoing evaluation of a proposed wind-energy project in Navajo County, east of the festival location. The two labeled pinwheels with the six major components of the renewable energy program:  wind, solar, biomass, hydropower, offshore, and geothermal. They also created a “hilltop” in front of the exhibit panels and displayed the pinwheels to simulate a wind farm.

The pinwheels were a big hit with both children and adults, especially since the windy day made them spin quickly and effectively illustrated the untapped energy of the wind. While sharing the tiny windmills, Drobka had the opportunity to discuss the BLM’s renewable energy options on public lands.

“Thanks to our abundant natural resources, Arizona is in a position to become a leading renewable energy state,” Drobka said. “We have sunshine more than 300 days a year in many parts of the state.  Strong winds and gentle topography on BLM public lands in northeastern Arizona combine to make a good site for wind energy production. Plus, neighboring Forest Service lands have abundant biomass capable of generating energy.”

The Safford Field Office is currently analyzing a PPM Energy’s proposal to construct up to 209 wind turbines north of Snowflake, Ariz. Copies of the environmental assessment were available at the booth, along with fact sheets with Web sites providing more information about renewable energy.