CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) -- The National Audubon Society and the Natural Resources Defense Council have created Google Earth maps of 13 western states that they hope will help to steer energy development away from sensitive areas.
The maps launched Wednesday include different layers of development constraints such as legally restricted lands or wildlife habitat areas.
The groups said in a teleconference that the project is intended to simplify development and transmission of renewable energy sources by preventing environmental conflicts.
Google's philanthropic arm, Google.org, made $25,000 grants to both groups as part of its Geo Challenge Grants program.
The analysis covers the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
