[S]ome California leaders...suggest that only conservationists now stand in the way of renewable energy. In an April 18 speech at Yale University’s Climate Change Conference, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that "the Germans, the French, the Canadians, the Japanese, they all want to come out to California and put solar power plants in the Mojave desert and in other places. The only thing is that the problem is getting that new energy to the power grid because of environmental hurdles."
For the more local angle read the June 2 article in The Press-Enterprise, here quoting 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt:
"At a time when the desert has become smaller because of urban growth, set-asides for (endangered species) habitat and wilderness, and expansion of military bases, we cannot surrender huge areas of public land without a serious discussion about which resources we can sacrifice and which need to be protected."
And, finally, Basin resident April Sall gives us a desert perspective on the right way and the wrong way of renewable energy development in The Greenwash in the June 2008 Desert Report:
As in the California Gold Rush of 1849, The Mojave Desert is under assault today. State mandates to reduce green house gases (GHG) and increase renewable energy portfolios have created a feeding frenzy, where energy developers are rapidly and chaotically submitting applications for renewable energy exploration and development. The targets of these applications are focused on almost free federal lands – some Right of Ways (ROW) are being leased for the bargain price about $14/linear mile. While desert residents are supportive of renewable energy development, they also want to insure that the energy strategy ultimately implemented includes all the factors involved in meeting our state mandates and energy needs.
Thanks to California Desert Coalition for the links.
MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: At California Desert Coalition and on the Energy page of the MBCA Website. Previous blog posts: Energy, Green Path North.
