Tomorrow is the last day to register thoughts on reopening the Desert Renewable Energy and Conservation Plan, which sets aside land for solar, wind and geothermal development as well as for wildlife habitat and A-T-V use. The plan was finalized after extensive negotiations between government planners, the renewable-energy industry, local businesses, conservation groups and off-road vehicle enthusiasts. The move to redo the plan stems from a Department of the Interior review of policies that might impede domestic energy production. Managing editor Tami Roleff says some people think it is a terrible idea to throw out a hard-won agreement that took eight years to negotiate…
The Desert Renewable Energy and Conservation Plan covers more than 22 million acres of California desert, including parts of our Mojave Desert. Angelina Galiteva with the Renewable 100 Policy Institute says revising the plan is a terrible idea
“The worst case scenario would be to basically say the DRECP isn’t anything that’s going to govern development, and we’re going to take a pristine piece of land and allow development to happen without any kind of consideration that this plan went through.”
Paul Smith, owner of the 29 Palms Inn, says the desert draws more than 6 million visitors a year from around the world – mostly drawn by the wide open vistas.
“Tourism in the California desert would be significantly affected by manmade objects which interrupt the beautiful scenic view sheds which exist right now. Key among those potential industrial assets would be solar fields and wind farms.”
Karen Douglas, head of the California Energy Commission, said in a statement that it is not necessary to revise the plan because the state already has enough space designated to meet its renewable-energy goals.
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