Sun editorial:
Finding a compromise
Renewable energy operations should be environmentally sound in all aspects
Friday, June 20, 2008 | 2:07 a.m.
Proposals to build renewable solar energy operations across Nevada and other parts of the Southwest are being stalled and questioned for an unlikely reason: environmental concerns.
As the Las Vegas Sun reported Wednesday, the Bureau of Land Management has put a moratorium on applications to place arrays of solar panels on federal land, pending the outcome of a 22-month study to assess the environmental effects of such projects.
A renewable energy representative of one of the power companies that wants to build a solar array in rural Nevada told Sun reporter Phoebe Sweet such a delay will “slow the momentum of a growing economy of solar business in the state of Nevada.”
In Southern California a proposal to build a massive solar-wind-geothermal power generating operation in open desert is under fire from environmentalists, residents and the director of California’s state parks because San Diego Gas & Electric Co. plans to run a 160-foot-tall transmission line through the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California’s largest state park.
Opponents cite a joint state-federal environmental review that says the line’s continuous buzzing would ruin the solitude of campgrounds and place the endangered bighorn sheep and other species at risk, the Los Angeles Times reported. The environmental review lists five corridor alternatives, but power company officials insist on using the park corridor.
The idea that those who work to protect the environment would oppose renewable energy projects may seem perplexing.
But all building projects — even those with environmentally positive goals — should be studied for potentially adverse effects. Government and power company officials should be making sure that in building renewable energy plants they aren’t sacrificing sensitive habitat and watersheds in Nevada or any other state. These are relatively new technologies whose effects are not wholly known.
The West needs renewable power, but it needs its ecological systems and diversity too. We can have all three, with diligence on the part of the BLM to finish these studies in a timely manner and with cooperation between power companies and the agency.
Spotlight
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Ritz-Carlton Lake Las Vegas to close in May
- Pricey land buy on Strip a bit of a surprise
- Engineering marvel taking shape near Hoover Dam
- Harry Reid’s co-writer unloads while discussing polls, Obama quote
- Police: Legal runner returned to home, shot husband and wife
- Grim numbers show Nevada leads nation in suicides over 60
- The 10 best steakhouses in Las Vegas
- UNLV back in the polls: No. 23 in AP, No. 25 in ESPN/USA Today
- MGM Mirage to leave N.J. in dispute over Macau partner
- GOP should blame itself for deficit, not Democrats
Blogs
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Miners sue to block mining tax initiative (3 Comments)
Shark Bytes
Willis reminds me of another great UNLV guard (5 Comments)
Elsewhere
With aggressive push, Internet gambling again in play
The Kats Report
A very quick list of which females could replace Steven Tyler in Aerosmith (18 Comments)
A 3.5-day sprint, highlighted superflously at Flamingo with Las Vegas newcomers
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Horsford: No taxes now, but tax reform later (14 Comments)
Gibbons: Cutting the budget can help me raise money (12 Comments)
Calendar »
- 10 Wed
- 11 Thu
- 12 Fri
- 13 Sat
- 14 Sun
-
Harlem Globetrotters at The Orleans Arena
Orleans Hotel-Casino
-
House of Lounge giveaway at Wasted Space
Wasted Space | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Rakim at LAX
LAX Nightclub | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Gilley's Casting Call at Treasure Island
Treasure Island Hotel and Casino
-
Freddy B and Mike Remedy at Blush
Blush Boutique Nightclub | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Blushing at Blue Martini
Blue Martini | 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati




















Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.
Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Comments that are off-topic, vulgar, profane or include personal attacks will be removed. Full comments policy.
If you would like to submit your comment as a letter to the editor, you may submit it here.