By James Rickman, SVSBrightSource Energy working with the Bureau of Land Management has proposed developing the first large scale PV solar mirror site on California public lands that border Nevada. The plans call for erecting 400,000 solar mirrors built in phases on impacting six miles of land. The construction costs would come mostly from government funding providing over 142,000 homes with power. This comes on the heels of California’s push to generate one-third of its electricity power from renewable clean energy sources by 2020.
So far the government’s Bureau of Land Management has received over 150 applications for large scale solar projects involving 1.8 million acres of federal land in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah.
The sun's power is used to heat water and make steam, which in turn drives turbines to create electricity. Built in phases, the project would include seven, 459-foot metal towers, a natural gas pipeline, water tanks, steam turbine generators, boilers and buildings for administration and maintenance. Each plant would be surrounded by 8-foot high steel fencing.
In November, federal and state biologists reviewing the plan proposed concerns over wildlife impacts that calls for the company catch and move the desert tortoises and preserve them elsewhere on 12,000 acres, a proposal that could cost BrightSource an estimated $25 million.
Answering environment impact concerns of solar projects stated, BrightSource spokesman Keely Wachs did not address proposals to move all or part of the complex, pledging that the company "will continue to work with the environmental community to ensure that we establish a good example for projects that follow."
In government filings, the company depicts the site near the Nevada line as far from untouched: It has been used for livestock grazing, has been crisscrossed by off-roaders and the boundary of a golf club is a half-mile away.
Currently, the United States has no solar-energy projects on public land, reported Monique Hanis of the Solar Energy Industries Association, a trade group. We are looking for ways to expand the market and reduce barriers ... and get more of these projects moving.
About Author
Mr. Rickman is a respected analyst, innovative expert in business development and investment market research with over 30-years experience, published worldwide. He is also the author of several books including Eight Billion People. Mr. Rickman holds advanced business and technical degrees from Boston University. Visit: http://www.sustainablevirtualbiz.com/ or Call (503) 621-4953.
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