May 11
21
Alternative Energy – Solar Power
Alternative energy solar power occupies an unusually large piece of the stage in this presidential campaign because of gas prices, the Iraq war, and global warming, among other things. Just over a month ago, the government banned new solar-energy projects on public land. The reason: it needed two years to evaluate their environmental impact. Then last week it lifted the ban. The reason: public outrage.
Environmental studies should be conducted to determine the environmental impact of any large scale solar project — the laying of transmission lines, the reclamation of water used in solar thermal power generation, and other issues are important. But to put a complete freeze on any new solar power generation project across the board for two years is downright short sighted. Especially at a time when the solar power generation industry is just now starting to come up to speed. […]
Coal-fired plant applications are on the rise even though coal-fired power plants are a key source of acid rain, the deforestation of the Great Smoky Mtn National Park, global warm[ing], rising carbon dioxide…devastation to communities throughout West Virginia, acid and other chemicals leeching into ground water…. But there are no moratoriums on new coal-fired power plant applications.
There is plenty of marginal agricultural land in the states proposed for public land development that is not under profitable production and is already worthless to wildlife. Alternative energy solar power initiatives that promote economic incentives on these private lands would give rural communities and farmers much needed stimulus by promoting private lease of private lands for renewable development. Democrats/Republicans pushing this approach would enjoy rural/ag voters’ support by bringing Westerners green projects as alternative to the tired old-Republican approach of bringing home the same extractive industrial bacon. Unlike subsidized livestock grazing, logging, etc. these solutions provide sustainable economies and ecologies into the future. […]
Put the solar panels and wind generators where they belong – on the rooftops and on private lands amidst the communities that use the energy.
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