California’s Renewable Energy Zones Raise Fresh Controvers

California wants large-scale renewable energy. Most projects of that type, however, are long delayed by a battle over land and habitat disruption. Much like the federal Bureau of Land Management has done for swaths of public land in the Southwest, environmental and business leaders, in conjunction with state government, are setting a groundwork that would mitigate environmental concerns and designate renewable energy projects within specific “zones” for fast-track permitting.

Led by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who recently signed an order that allows solar power developers to pay into a fund to compensate for disrupted habitat rather than buy additional land, the plan is to specify renewable energy zones for which environmental impact assessments and other regulatory hurdles would already be complete, thus enabling solar developers a faster track to permit approval and project construction.

The zoning plan, while intended to fast-track wind and solar projects in southeastern California, is itself hardly on a fast track. Those involved expect it to take four years to actually develop and implement, according to the Press-Enterprise. 40 representatives of government, environment and industry met last week in Riverside to lay the foundation, including officials from seven counties, the Sierra Club and the California Wind Energy Association.

Not involved in the meeting were local Native American tribes, who were instead outside protesting some projects set for construction on acreage to be included in the renewable energy zones. The tribes want to protect sacred sites, including ancient trails and geoglyphs carved into the desert landscape. A Solar Millennium project near the town of Blythe would damage several such locations.

Historical landmarks that could be damaged or destroyed by the Solar Millennium project include a 200-foot-tall-by-50-foot-wide image of Native American creator Kokopilli, as well as one of the spirit Cicimitl that covers 10 square yards.

While tribal groups were not allowed to participate in the meeting, officials have apparently assured them that tribal input and information are encouraged and will be taken seriously.

Those involved were clear that this is just the starting point for developing renewable energy zones in California, and that nothing is set in stone. The California Department of Fish and Game has developed a preliminary map of locations that might be suited for renewable energy development because they have a lesser amount of sensitive plant and animal species.

Wind and solar industry leaders obviously urge speed and focus in developing the energy zones. Some are afraid that projects, especially wind, will move to other states like Texas, Iowa or Oklahoma, where regulations are less strict. However long it takes, California’s action is the first of its kind by a state and could set a precedent for other wind- or solar-heavy states to follow.

Via The Press-Enterprise
Photo Credit: Camel Mining

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