Project developer moves in on land deals for plant sites

BrightSource Energy has submitted applications to the Bureau of Land Management for potential power plants in Arizona as the company scouts for sites for six power plants needed to fulfill the 1300 megawatts of clean solar thermal power agreement signed with Southern California Edison. Brian Rasmussen, director of project development at BrightSource told Arizona Republic that the company is in "advanced negotiations" with private Arizona landowners on leases or land sales.

BrightSource plans to open a 100-megawatt solar-power plant in 2013 as part of the deal with Edison, then a 200-megawatt plant in 2014, two more in 2015 and three in 2016, Executive Vice President Tom Doyle announced Wednesday.

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