A week ago, the Federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) reaffirmed its commitment to keep 31 renewable energy projects on a “fast track process” through the permitting, public participation and — ultimately — commissioning stages. The bureau will focus on the most promising projects, with the aim of allowing some (if not all) of them to receive incentive funding under the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The deadline for ARRA funding is December 2010.

According to the press release, BLM Director Bob Abbey emphasized that “fast tracking” should not be confused with rubber stamping — that is, OK’ing projects without conducting due diligence:

“The fast-track process is about focusing our staff and resources on the most promising renewable energy projects,” said Abbey, “not about cutting corners, especially when it comes to environmental analyses or opportunities for public participation.” All renewable energy projects proposed for BLM-managed lands will receive the full environmental review required by the National Environmental Protection Act and will include the same opportunities for public involvement required for all other land-use decision making by the BLM.

As we’ve reported on this blog before, environmentalists and renewable energy developers have recently butted heads over the extent to which solar and wind installations impact the surrounding ecosystem. Facing pressure from the likes of California Senator Diane Feinstein, for instance, BrightSource Energy, a project developer, shelved plans for a 500-mW solar thermal plant in the Broadwell Dry Lake area of the Mojave desert. The area is home to rare endemic species.

Of the 31 projects on BLM’s fast track list, there are 14 solar projects, seven wind projects, three geothermal and seven transmission-related projects.