California Approves Controversial Solar Project
September 23rd, 2010
In a move that will create hundreds of clean energy jobs, the California Energy Commission (CEC) cleared the way for a 370 megawatt solar facility in San Bernardino County this month. The CEC acted swiftly to avoid missing out on the federal stimulus dollars, which are set to expire at the end of the year.
Controversy arose when the development plans involved a section of environmentally sensitive land and would displace the desert tortoise, a species which is threatened with extinction. Brightsource, the company in charge of building the massive solar power plant, has reduced the solar array's footprint by eliminating four of the seven heating towers initially planned.
The $2 billion project will put California one step closer to achieving it's goal of having 33% of its energy needs met with renewable energy by 2020, a goal not easy to achieve with the state's significant energy demand. California is already one of the largest importers of energy.
-----------------------------------------------------
Make sure to visit our Solar Power News archive for other Photovoltaic, Solar, and Renewable Energy related articles.