A new Federal initiative has development of solar power plants slowing to a standstill

Solar Power Plant Wikimedia (GNU Licensed)

Few would begrudge an environmental impact study in advance of new power plant construction, least of all proponents of alternative energy. But with the Bureau of Land Management's recent decision to put a freeze on any new solar projects on the land it oversees in order to study the potential environmental effects, those same proponents are now looking skeptically at the federal government.

The study, encompassing millions of acres in the West, is scheduled to last two years, and could not come at a more inopportune time for the fledgling solar industry. Federal solar investment tax credits are slated to expire in December. If Congress does not renew them, that, in combination with the freeze, could mean real trouble for small solar upstarts, who would have to turn to expensive privately managed locations for their projects.

Why the projects must be halted in order for the study to continue is undoubtedly the biggest mystery. Critics have noted that new oil and gas development has continued in neighboring areas unabated. It would seem prudent to clear obstacles to solar development as quickly as possible, given the nation's current energy crisis. Still, the Department of the Interior says the study will be limited to one set of criteria which will be used to examine future solar plans, ultimately streamlining the process.

[Via the New York Times]

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9 Comments

Of course they are putting a halt to this. It certainly does not help the big oil companies (and the Presidents good buddies). They have token investments in solar or any other energy they cannot pump out of the ground. We are headed to an energy crisis of biblical proportions. Remember the 70's energy crisis was man-made/political the one we are headed into is due to actual available supply and the ability to reach it.... Eventually at any cost.

Well, this will probably be only temporary. Come 1/20/09 we can expect some more intelligence in the White House (either McCain or Obama are far better than the idiot we have now).

Well, they're studying solar because it is new. Pumping oil is not a new technology, and we don't need to test its effects on the environment because we already know them.

And Bush is not an idiot, he actually has an above average IQ.

Sounds like paranoia. With the gas prices rising, haven't you seen the amount of "Green" products and incentives. As a matter of fact the prices need to be further pushed up to force more companies to invest in renewable energies. Different types of solar plants are also being invented, possibly this "Freeze" would prove to be helpful. If it prevents billions being spent on technology that soon afterwards becomes improved upon, then there is a high opportunity cost involved.

ismeelgato

from Brandon, FL

gbabunovic, you should do more research. Solar power has been around for quite some time. It just hasn't been as popular as other sources for many reasons. The most common being the cost of implementing it. I have to completely agree with rcc_2000 on his common. I believe this to be another f... up from the Bush administration. After all, Bush's family is into the oil business. Whey would he want to get himself out of business?

Bush has not interest on the well being of the American population. All he cares about is himself and his business.

I'm a strong believer in Occam s Razor (the simplest explanation for a given set of facts is usually right). By this principle, simple bone-headed incompetence is a much more likely explanation than some kind of conspiracy.

Hi,

The previous guy is right. Incompetence is the likeliest answer.

Like anything, if you want something done properly, do it yourself! The guys here can show you how to power your whole house with a combination of solar and wind power.

Home solar and wind power

Could be the future? I'm going to check it out.

Gary.

Of course a few thousand panels will change the ecology in any area just from shading....but we will need three times the proposed panels in different zones just to study this....there is one demostration site in Beverly Mass. that has been in operation with almost no maintence since the Carter administration....it works fine and makes the city about $25,000 after the school uses its share of the energy. The fact is, not only does it work but has almost no negative effect on the environment...can any other energy source do that?

but it dosent take an obove average iq to figure out that a greedy goverment with an obove iq can come up with twisted plans to put a stop to good things in favor of there own gain. if one actualy researched the subject they would find that on more ocasions than one can easily recount the goverment has stepped in where there was no real need for them to, other than for them to inturupt progress of what would othere wise create some very reliable renuable resourses for our country. what possible negative effect could a sollar plant have on our enviroment? is anyone realy that dumb? incompotent or other? makes my blood boil to know that our goverment can do what it will to stop the progress of anything good for there own personal gain.

absolute power corrupts absolutly.... and this is a perfect example of the corruption that plagues our nation and is destroying our ecosystem for the gain of our leaders pocket books.



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