President Obama today ordered expedited construction of seven solar and wind energy projects in four western states: Arizona, California, Nevada and Wyoming.

"Together, these job-creating infrastructure projects would produce nearly 5,000 megawatts of clean energy, enough to power approximately 1.5 million homes," said a White House announcement.

"These seven proposed solar and wind projects have great potential to grow our nation's energy independence, drive job creation, and power economies across the west," said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.

Also from the White House: