PLANS laid out by former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger to turn part of the Californian desert into a renewable energy haven look set to go ahead.
The idea was first banded about in 2008, but it has taken several years to finalise the details.
The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan will focus on preserving natural species found in the desert, as well as generating clean energy through renewable means.
It is hoped that the renewable energy projects will include those powered by geothermal, solar and wind.
The project also hopes to conserve the following species:
• Barstow Woolly Sunflower
• Flat-tailed Horned Lizard
• Bald Eagle
• Desert Cymopterus
• Burrowing Owl
• Southwestern Willow Flycatcher
• Mojave Monkeyflower
• Swainson’s Hawk
• Mohave Ground Squirrel
• Arroyo Toad
• California Condor*
• Nelson’s Bighorn Sheep
• Desert Tortoise
• Golden Eagle
.
According to American sources state officials announced the plans will finally come together this autumn.
However, not everybody is happy about the news and there are conflicts between environmental, industry, and government stakeholders.
Residents with land close to the proposed site are also not all pleased about the proposal over fears their views will be ruined by solar panels and wind turbines.
The issue isn’t helped by the fact that there are already two small scale projects which local officials say residents have complained about previously.
However, environmentalists are hailing the proposals as a huge breakthrough in terms of ecological and environmental progress, claiming those close by will directly benefit from the improved environment and renewable energy developments.
Local meetings will go ahead to try and ease concerns, and f it goes ahead it should be around for 25 – 40 years.
