Alternative Energy Setbacks

Two recent articles highlight the difficulties of developing large scale solar projects. Senator Feinstein did the right thing by following through on a government deal to preserve a huge tract of land in the Mojave desert. The land was given to the government on the condition it be protected. Bush had backed away and encouraged development on it but that is no longer possible now that the land is protected by the National Park system just as promised.

This is good because the US Government needs to live up to its contracts. Business has felt betrayed by the handling of TARP. No environmental group would give the government land if they renege on their contract and allow development. However the Mojave desert is one of the best places in the world for solar projects. This event will make large solar developments there more expensive. Several projects have been canceled as a result.

Another big project in Panoche, CA is in trouble. A proposal to build the worlds largest photovoltaic project there is under attack by environmentalists. It isn't quite as sunny as Mojave but does get lots of sun and there are large high power transmission lines going right through it. A group got control of a few ranches where they want to deploy more than a million PV panels over 18,000 acres. Panoche is near a desolate stretch of Interstate 5 on the dry western edge of California's vast central valley.

The main argument against these projects is they displace open land and the plants and animals that live there. I am all for preserving as much land in a natural state as possible.

Solar power, especially the kind produced with PV panels, is currently expensive. It does make sense to subsidize their small scale deployment on roof tops or over car parks. The power will be used at the source reducing both transmission losses and the burden on the power grid. They also simply cover pre-existing development.

Not long ago a geothermal project near Clear Lake, CA was canceled. Like the canceled geothermal project in Switzerland it was creating earthquakes. This further limits that source of alternative energy.

Wind power is economical in some places. Boone Pickens drastically reduced plans for a huge wind farm in Texas because it was impossible to deliver the electricity to consumers. The wind isn't close to consumers and our grid can't handle some economical wind projects. There is a practical limit to how much power the wind can contribute in the long term.

We need to develop nuclear power. It takes a long time so we need to start now. We also need to develop our natural gas resource. Developing both energy sources will create jobs. Both will reduce the US trade deficit. Nuclear produces very little carbon while gas produces 50% less than coal for an equivalent amount of energy.

Help me with my quest oh omniscient oracle:

Have fun! Bid for one on eBay:

Outbid? No worries, try Half.com:

Amazon has lots more than just books:

Amazon.com Widgets

Need a web host? I use & recommend inmotion:

Collect coins? Check out Carl's Coins:

We are affiliates of the businesses listed above. Clicking through our link before doing business with them helps support this website. Thank you!