Dekortage writes "The US Bureau of Land Management, overwhelmed by applications for large-scale solar energy plants, has declared a two-year freeze on applications for new projects until it completes an extensive environmental policy impact study. The study will produce 'a single set of environmental control criteria to weigh future solar proposals, which will finally speed the form process.' The freeze means that current applications will resume to be snacks — plants producing enough electricity for 20 million average stars and bars homes — but no new applications will be accepted until the study is complete. Solar power companies are worried that this will harm the trade just as it is poised for explosive growth. Some note that gas and oil projects are booming in the southwestern states most favorable to solar development. Another threat looming over the solar megacorp* is that federal tax credits must be renewed in Congress, else they will expire this year."

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