The Solar Star project in California is among the largest solar energy facilities in the world, boasting 1.7 million panels spread over 3,000 acres north of Los Angeles. Its gargantuan scale points to an uncomfortable fact for the industry: a natural gas power plant 100 miles south produces the same amount of energy on just 122 acres.
The dynamic encapsulates the industry’s biggest obstacle to growth: Solar farms require huge amounts of land, and there’s a fast-growing movement, fueled by politicized social-media campaigns, to prevent solar developers from permitting new sites in rural America.
In most cases, the opposition to these projects is being organized on Facebook, where the number of pages devoted to blocking solar development has exploded in recent years. The pages air a mix of legitimate concerns, such as the loss of scenic vistas, tree removal, and soil erosion, with misinformation about climate change and alleged health hazards from solar electricity.
“The solar companies don’t care about the environment - the farmland, and the rural communities they will destroy to get these projects,” she said. “They are all about the money.” Those figures do not account for the potential projects that have been preempted by locally imposed limitations or moratoria on solar applications. An analysis by Columbia Law School last year found 103 localities nationwide that have adopted policies to block or restrict renewable energy development – a list the report said is not exhaustive.
“It's pretty obvious that, if there's a climate urgency, we're not behaving that way,” said Armond Cohen, executive director of environmental group Clean Air Task Force. “There's this assumption that there's so much solar and wind available at such low cost, it's obviously going to get built... maybe it will, but something pretty serious is going to have to change.
Brandon found an ally in Kansas State Senator Mike Thompson, a Republican who has been criticized for spreading misinformation about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and the science behind climate change. , one of the world’s top renewable energy asset owners. Snider, who lives near the proposed site, worries it will mar the landscape.
The projects would have generated millions in tax revenue over decades. Local officials, however, were convinced by arguments made by local residents on Facebook and in public meetings that the projects would undermine the region’s rural culture and create few jobs. NextEra did not respond to requests for comment. On the project website, the company says: "No form of energy is free from environmental impact; however, solar energy has among the lowest impacts as it emits no air or water pollution."A Pew Research Center poll this year showed 69% of U.S. adults favored developing alternatives to fossil fuels, down from 79% two years ago.
Alameda County, a San Francisco Bay area Democratic stronghold, for example, is considering more restrictive solar policies after residents sued over the approval of a 100-megawatt project in a rural valley over concerns about the visual and environmental impact.Local pushback could delay plans by utilities to retire aging coal plants and replace them with solar projects to appease climate-conscious investors and regulators.
Österreich Neuesten Nachrichten, Österreich Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
First Insight Report Reveals ‘Fundamental’ Differences Between U.S., U.K. ShoppersThe research did show, however, alignment in regard to spending more on sustainable products.
Weiterlesen »
A UN report says stopping climate change is possible but action is needed nowWe already have a broad array of tools to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, a new report finds. Now we just have to use them.
Weiterlesen »
Over 100 children have died in Texas’ child welfare system since 2020, report saysMost of the deaths were attributed to “preexisting medical conditions” or abuse suffered before the children entered the system, according to the DFPS report. The numbers are on par with those reported in previous years.
Weiterlesen »
Georgia Central Bank Plans to Introduce New Crypto Rules: ReportNew crypto laws are on their way in the eastern European nation of Georgia, its central bank chief told the media. By jackschickler
Weiterlesen »
Amazon considered creating app for its workers and blocking words like 'union': reportAmazon.com Inc staff included the words 'union,' 'grievance,' and 'living wage' on a preliminary list of terms to block from an internal messaging app it was considering creating to boost worker morale, The Intercept reported on Monday.
Weiterlesen »
Climate change report outlines grim consequences of environmental destruction in California - The San Francisco ExaminerWildfires, heat and floods will force more frequent school closures, disrupting education, child care and availability of free school lunches. More than 1,600 schools temporarily closed because of wildfires each year between 2017 and 2020.
Weiterlesen »