ALAMOSA, Colo. (AP) — The federal Bureau of Land Management is holding a meeting in Colorado to get comment on the government’s draft plan for solar energy development on public lands.

The goal of the solar energy plan being discussed Wednesday is to promote development of large, utility-scale solar projects on public lands while minimizing conflicts with wildlife and cultural and historic resources.

The BLM’s preferred plan identifies 17 zones in six western states as prime candidates for projects. Four zones are in the San Luis Valley in Colorado. The other zones are in California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona.

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