Online mapping project for renewable energy

Two prominent conservation groups are teaming up with Google for an online mapping project that will help renewable energy companies decide where to locate projects.

The National Audubon Society and the Natural Resources Defense Council are working with the search engine using Google Earth technology to develop maps of 13 western states. The maps will show where renewable energy development is legally permitted and which areas are sensitive wildlife habitat involve other environmental factors.

"This is the first step in reducing energy development conflicts by giving people from all walks of life the information they need to participate in critical site-selection decisions," said Audubon president John Flicker in a statement.

The organisation noted that the map technology comes at an important time, in light of a federal stimulus bill that invests billions in renewable energy and with more government policies promoting its development on public lands. [report]