The Challenge Of Land For New Energy

Solar and wind farms can hurt the environment. A new study offers solutions

Sammy Roth, October 6, 2022 (LA Times)

“…[It could increase energy bills 3% to build the clean energy infrastructure needed to replace fossil fuels] over the next 30 years without triggering blackouts or causing electricity costs to rise too much…[According to a new study by the Nature Conservancy], the American West can generate enough renewable power to tackle climate change even if some of its most ecologically valuable landscapes are placed off-limits to solar and wind farms — without causing costs to spiral out of control…

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…[S]olar and wind have become just about the cheapest sources of new electricity on the market…[And that will improve significantly thanks to the Biden infrastructure and climate bills, but] finding places to build..[is limited by] intense opposition from conservationists dedicated to protecting habitat for migratory birds, sage grouse and desert tortoises — and from local residents who see industrial energy infrastructure as a threat to their small-town way of life…[The study concluded it will take 26 million acres and $260 million through 2050 in a model that] assumed the only places off-limits to solar and wind farms were areas already protected by law, such as national parks and wildlife refuges…

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[But it concluded it will take 21 million acres and $269 million for] blocking renewable energy development in many other areas — including wetlands, critical habitat for endangered species…migration corridors and the best agricultural soils…[The smaller land footprint used several strategies, including] building fewer wind farms in the West’s windiest states…and more solar farms in the sunny desert Southwest…[Solar farms require less land and] can be built closer to big cities with ‘only’ 6,259] miles of habitat-disrupting power lines…[R]eality is more complicated…[The key] is collaboration and planning…[and avoiding the pitfalls of] politics and economic self-interest…” click here for more

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