Darrell Ross

Reading a bit deeper on the solar power on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in the mojave desert, it appears only some plants have been scrapped while others will move forward.

This article is (or course) much more informative than the Fox one I linked in my previous post:
http://solveclimate.com/blog/20100104/us-confirms-plans-fast-track-solar-federal-lands-3-western-states

According to the article, it appears Senator Feinstein is still moving forward with designating 1.1 million acres of desert as a national monument thus preventing any construction and preserving the land. This is a win for fundamentalist conservationists. I stand by my previous comments that conservationists should find a way to work together with their newfound environmentalist cousins who have the money and power to take solar energy to the commercial level.

Only in California right? I have only been living in Texas for six months but I can already feel the high-brow Californian-irritation. hehe.

Seems that conservationists have slammed the door shut on solar power in the Mojave Desert:
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/21/feinstein-dont-spoil-desert-solar-panels/

What ever happened to cooperation? Why not work with the power companies to ensure they install the panels in a responsible manner? I mean, heck, they’re installing solar! They are installing large-scale commercial-grade solar power plants! This seems like a no-brainer for me.

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) has spent several years working on a ocean-wave power testing facility on the Northern California coast. They have worked with the Surfrider Foundation, local fishermen, divers, swimmers, and the local ocean and shore conservationists. After a lot of careful consideration and studies, they are (as far as I know) moving forward with the project.

Come on you desert conservationists! We are on the same team! The power companies want to install renewable energy power sources and you want to save some desert fauna. So work with them. Doesn’t solar accomplish this somehow? I know some desert life is in need of shelter. Add stipulations that require installing shelters and ways for the desert life to be excluded from the power plants or enter and leave them safely if necessary.

Sad days when we bicker amongst ourselves. Come on people!

We will be adding photos to our trip to Belize here. Enjoy!