US freezes building of new solar plants on federal lands
The United States government has decided to freeze movement on new solar energy proposals on public lands. The Bureau of Land Management has issued a moratorium that likely will last two years to ''study'' the issue, the New York Times reported today. Click here for the story
The decision comes amid more than 130 project proposals since 2005 that aim to provide enough energy for 20 million homes. One reason given by the federal government: it has to study how to reclaim the land after the 20-30-year period that it is used for solar energy.
“It doesn’t make any sense,” Holly Gordon, vice president for legislative and regulatory affairs for Ausra, a California-based solar thermal energy company, told the Times. “The Bureau of Land Management land has some of the best solar resources in the world. This could completely stunt the growth of the industry.”
The move comes as countries such as Germany have issued sweeping incentives to attract more solar resources, as a way to stimulate energy independence from fossil fuels and Middle East oil producers, as well as try to make a dent in a worsening greenhouse gas problem. Some growing US producers, such as Marlborough-based Evergreen Solar, have big contracts with German companies.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and his energy and environment chief, Ian Bowles, have placed big bets on alternative energy and ''clean tech'' companies like Evergreen in their efforts to recoup jobs lost over the last decade to outsourcing.
The industry is already concerned over the fate of federal solar investment tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of the year unless Congress renews them.
The energy independence argument was used by President Bush on June 18 when he swept aside two decades of presidential policies to back oil exploration and drilling off the US coast. Bush, his father and his brother long had cited environmental concerns in supporting a ban on such drilling.
The president also has proposed opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil drilling, a move opposed by the presidential contender of his own party, John McCain, as well as Democratic hopeful Barack Obama.
What do you think of this federal move on solar? Let us know in the comments section below.
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At some point you hear so much of this news that there is nothing left to say except for what a disappointment. The US is falling behind, etc. It's becoming too tiring. Just go ahead and put it in the Offense-excuse me, Defense-Budget along with funding for public schools and healthcare.
Sounds like the good oil fossil fuels boys are up to their greed-driven nonsense all over again. Meanwhile, the government is trying to convince Americans that the oil companies should be given tax breaks to drill in the ANWR and several other wildlife preserves and lands--and then there's the offshore drilling expansioon being considered. It's time to get end the influence of the oil companies once and for all!
if this is true, its just another way for the Texas oilmen, Cheney and co, to screw the American taxpayer and enrich themselves. All the while pointing their fingers at the Dems for not allowing offshore drilling. Rove lives!
The Globe doesn't tell the whole story........ the bottom line is that an "environmental impact" study has not been performed for these acres and acres of solar panels.
Basically, the demands of the "environmentalists" and the laws with which they helped get passed, have slowed down this development.
But the Globe is once again pushing the story as if the Bush adminstration has called a halt to the development.
Shouldn't be hard to figure out considering that the big boys own both sides of the aisle.
What could be the possible logic behind this move?! Is the Federal government determined to put the US further behind other countries in its response to the dependence on foreign oil and the quest for alternative energy? There must be money to be made by the greedy leadership of this country at the cost of the taxpayers, which seems to be the standard for the Bush administration.
Presently, the US Govt. has issued several new permits for coal and nuclear power plants but continues to limit alternative growth in solar and wind power generating facilities. It should come as no surprise given the investment strength of Congressional and top presidential officials benefiting from record profits in oil, gas, coal and nuclear industries.
Follow the money and it is clear why this country has no future for viable sustainable power generation. We are witness to a fail govt. and failed 1st world nation. There is little hope this country will maintain economic viability or continue to support the power needs of future generations unless massive attention is given to development of solar and wind generation.
The USA elected offical have lost the value of the american people they care more of thier own fate instead of the people. Oil/gas and food are at a all time high and they worry about who will be president .
We have so many resources and we do nothing I am so scared of our future with no leadership in Washington and our local governement. Here we have some a great source of heat and they shut it down. ITs time we shut them down, lets place term limits and and make it easier for people to run for office, we need people who know the pain of feeding thier family run this country it would be a better place
This typical of the federal government. We have a problem with energy NOW not 20 or 30 years from now. We've stalled on drilling we encumber the process for new rfineries with committee after committee holding hearing after hearing ad infintum. Nero is fiddling while rome burns. The only answer is to dump all of these self serving Politicians posturing for 30 years about energy independance. DUMP THE INCUMBANTS!!!!!
Perfect. The Shelby-Dodd Bill, which will probably be enacted by the Congress and signed with a flourish by the Great Decider, ostensibly spun to seem a relief package to assist homeowners in risk of foreclosure, will in fact bail out the banks that brought on this crisis through reckless and fraudulent loan practices. Solar energy, which is the answer to human energy needs since a giant, functioning nuclear fusion reactor that will last for billions of years is a convenient 93 million miles away, has received little interest in terms of both seed money from the government and investment from the energy industry as solar fits none of the current business models of selling you the same product over and over for decades. As seen by this latest development, in fact solar initiatives either get actively blocked, or die from neglect. Corn-based fuel alternatives do fit the business models, and hey, if a bunch of third-rate third-world societies have to face starvation so the wealthier populations in the U.S., China, Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere can continue to drive their oversize gas-guzzlers ten miles round-trip to retrieve eight ounces of hot coffee, that's their problem.
Who owns the U.S. Government? It ain't you or me, brother.
It is imperative that the depandency on oil for fuel be diminished, as soon as possible.
Clean, alternative energy must begin to replace the highly toxic emission of the fossil fuels that we have become "addicted" to.
It is incromprehensible, that our country, our politicians would in any way shape or form, keep this from happening.
We remain hostage to the oil cartels for our supply and cost of fuels - which in turn directly relates to the rising cost of inflation that our nation is suffering under.
Our land of the free, meaning freedom of choice, is being stepped on and smothered by politics and politicians.
Are GWB and his cronies really trying to eliminate the USA?
They are doing a great job at that!
The move makes sense. Why invest resources in solar when we can use that money to instead keep buying oil and keep Bush's good ol'buddies in the industry happy? He'll be one of them again in six months.
I can't believe this. I don't work for the solar industry but I don't need to be to realize the country is making a mistake.
Linda Resseguie, manager of the Bureau of Land Management’s environmental impact study, can have all the desert tortoise and Mojave ground squirrels live in her house so we can get some relief from natural resource's price gouging.
Two years to figure out how this is going to effect the environment? Come one, get it done for crying out loud. It's the best place for these solar panels and they hover above the ground. The little animals can run around them and take cover. Heck, we can even buy them some food with all the money we will save. Does that make you feel better Linda? Let's write to Obama (next president) about this now!
The Bush Administration talks about energy independence but the only energy they are interested in is oil and gas.
I cannot wait till the current adminstration is out of office!!!
How disingenuous can this Republican Administration be? We must expand federal land available for drilling - despite the fact that the oil companies have 68 million acres of untapped federal land under lease - and yet, they are halting a clean/renewable energy project on a "pre-textual" need for a post-use reclamation study. Why can't this study be conducted during the ensuing 20-30 years of the use of the land, one might ask? How many billions of barrels of oil would this solar project replace? Certainly, it would replace far more barrels than could be drilled offshore and from ANWAR, combined. It is needless to discuss the facially apparent environmental benefit regarding pollution and carbon emissions. The fact is, this action is the Administration playing games in favor of its primary lobbyist/constituent/contributor - Big Oil - and its claimed policy objectives. It slows down and hurts their competitor; clean energy. The Administration talks the talk, but will not walk the walk on clean energy.
Bush's friends in big oil, including the Saudi royal family, do not want the US to develop alternative forms of energy. The timing of this outrage is priceless!
Having worked with solar power, it is very inefficient - implementing solar cells should be taken on a case by case basis (per house). This technology needs to work in conjunction with another energy technology in order for it to work.
This Administration has no qualms about opening up ANWR, the continental shelf, National Parks and Huge Amounts of land here in Utah, for oil and gas speculation, but then they pull this!? When will this guy be impeached?
Typical, the govt flexes their muscles by dragging oil execs out and trying to make it look like big oil is the problem but the real problem is our government and the way they let this problem continue to grow and grow without trying to let other forms of energy move forward.
another insult to the American people. Bush and his cronies believe that we don't care enough to do something about it. And for a large segment of the population, he may be right. I have faith in that silent majority to stand up and do the right thing when it comes down to it.
How long will continue to allow the oil companies to determine our futre and our way of life. Wake up out ther! Call your Congressmen!
There's no money in it for the oil industry, so Bush is putting on the brakes. If oil reserves were to be found in any of the proposed solar sites, we'd be drilling before you could say 'impact study.'
We should construct solar energy units on Federal lands, particularly in the light of the energy crises we now face and in the years ahead. Other countries are way ahead of us. Sometimes one thinks it is big business that is throwing a monkey wrench into any energy improvement.
You elected a bunch of OIL BARONS to run the Federal Gov't.
You now wonder why you're in a war with an OIL producing country right?
You now wonder why OIL went from 27 dollars a barrel to over 140 a barrel and is now headed for 150-200 a barrel right?
You now wonder why any and all attempts to find alternative energy sources are being stomped to death right?
Do you wonder why Condo-Lsa has an OIL TANKER named after here?
Do you wonder why Darth Cheney was a CxO of an oil producing company?
Do you wonder why your world is being plunged into darkness?
If you answered YES to ANY of the above questions you're a pretty stupid person. The answers are quite obvious.
This is just another example of the most inept administration in the history of
our country at it's finest.
This decision is made while the federal government is moving to open more land for oil drilling. We now know who runs the country - the oil industry.
Another example that our government is run by self-serving idiots controlled by special interest groups.
This is just anther example of our gov't bending over for the oil producers. Now, they do not even try to create a logical explanation. Thanks George. I thank you every time I gas up the car or heat the house.
Government at it's worst. In this time of energy crisis our only solution is to increase the use of solar energy. The heat added by burning fossil fuels and nuclear generation is causing global warming and leading us into a thermal crisis. The environmentalist solution is to reduce carbon emissions which is the current hoax being perpetrated on mankind. We need to reduce our current energy generation which is adding heat to the globe and increase our use of solar energy. Photoelectric generation is a prospective solution. Energy can be generated and transported from areas of high heat to other areas easily. It will affect the environment in those areas and must be considered. What is the concern about 20 to 30 years. The environment will be changed but it is not necessarily the end.
I think government at all levels do a horrible job all they do is steal money and help out thier friends businesses which is probably why this solar energy thing has been shut down. F%$K You all.
Why not issue a moratorium on drilling in Alaska and move forward and beyond to promote solar energy initiatives that will diversify and broaden our energy options
so that we can select what type of energy would best suit out needs for home, travel, work, school. There is a stiff and unyielding stance that Congress and the White House are taking in their outright refusal to balance and provide for our current energy needs and for the country's and the world's future needs. Those making the decision to not provide viable alternative energy options for Americans, do not understand the serious impact of their refusal upon our daily lives.
Duh....There are no Bush/Cheney cronies in the solar industry.....
There they go again...Big Oil and Gas(Natural) shutting down alternatives because they will lose $$$'s with 20 million homes being supplied electricity they didn't produce.
The excuse of how to reclaim the land it bogus because the demands for electricity will continue to grow, so the need for the land to be used for solar plants will still hold true in 20 to 30 years.
Again, unless someone in the elite upper class is making the money things never get done in this country. There is a reason why Europe is better suited for getting things done. I don't think we can say we have been doing a good job with our economy and resources. This is one time that we have a great opportunity to make some serious progress with solar and we need to take it!
I wish this was a joke. We're looking down the barrel of $5, $6, or even $7.00 / gallon gas, not to mention skyrocketing home heating oil, and our fine government RESTRICTS alternatives??? To STUDY the situation??? God help us.
Deckhand: "Excuse me, Mr. Captain, sir, but we've struck and iceburg and the ship is sinking... Maybe the lifeboats might be a good option?"
Captain: "Nah, let's study the situation some more... It may yet correct itself."
Another Republican move to enrich the Bush/Cheney oil companies
Is it possible that with all those lawyers they can't devise an acceptable property rights arrangement in less than 2 years? Does the expression "time is of the essense" mean anything to them? It's hard to believe that there isn't another more sinister reason for what appears to be unreasonable and counterproductive decision making on the part of these government agencies. And to think that taxpayers have to pay them salaries for this!
It is clear that our government is now actively working against the best interest of its people. It is now time for a change. We need to fix the broken ship that is The United States of America. When the interests of foreign countries and rich polluters have more sway than the people who elected our current "representitvates", it is time for wholesale change in our government/society. Shame on the people of this country for being blind to this fact for this long.
Solar panels, et al, to be placed on rooftops of individual homes, is viable to support that home.... however, Solar Power is a drop in the bucket compared to the overall energy need and things like Nuclear Power (despite some naive concerns), is by far, the most-out for the least-in the best way to seriously reduce oil needs. Plus, drilling would show OPEC US is serious about independence and the price would plummet in the meantime while the US implements a long-term plan
Solar plants in desert areas, perhaps desolate mountains... fine... elsewhere, they are an inefficient nusance that does not produce much for what you have to invest.... just like wind power... another drop-in-the-bucket.
People need to be serious if they want serious improvements, and those that like electric cars are just foolish... all it is, is an energy converter, less efficient than just burning gas.... the power plant needs to generate the energy, convert it, ship it many miles on wires, convert it in your batteries.... it is an inefficient electrical mess. If the powere plants were nuclear, then I would say sure... but since they are oil and coal... no way...
I'm not a bid proponent of energy development on federal lands, either oil or other. I think the tax credit should continue to exist to encourage commercial and individual solar development on private lands. I'm all for solar; just not for developing federal lands for commercial gain.
This is insane. It seems as though the bush administration wants to suck as much oil resources as it can before leaving office.. what a shame this country has had to to endure.
I do think environmental impact studies make sense. Each time we rush in, we look like the fools that we are. I should think that every "Big-Box" store in the country could be covered with solar arrays, might make more sense that than putting them in the desert.
However, imagine if we used a 10th of the Iraq war cost to invest in solar technology
Typical Republican move to protect the oil industry. They want to drill on federal lands but not promote alternative energy. Disgusting.
Oh yes, fossil fuels are definitely the wave of the future....
Another breathlessly boneheaded move by the people who brought us the Iraqi War, domestic spying, spot-on response to Hurricane 'Karina,' torture, political firing of Attorneys General, colossal debt that we'll be paying off for generations, the evisceration of the middle class, the enlargment of the uber-wealthy class, the dismantling of unions, assaults on the environment too many to name, faith-based science, and other un-American activities. And coming soon: War with Iran! If you liked Iraq, you'll love Iran...
Another triumph for the Bush Administration!
It seems to me that the government and the big oil companies are in bed together,and they'll come up with any excuse[no matter how lame]to thwart alternative fuel sources. I say this fall,fire them all,and re-elect nobody!
Just another example from our government that proves the corporate oil industry has too much influence in Washington. It is a shame they are holding up needed growth in the alternative energy field
Which planet do they live on, anyway?
What was the bases for this moratorium?
the republican party bias against.renewablre energy and conservation began to surface in 1981 when ronald reagan was elected and on of his earliest administrative acts was to close the four regional solar centers. Up until that time energy had been tagged as either left or right wing. But Reagan's administration began a consistent pursuit of coal and nuclear energy, both in the hands of large corporate interests.
is it any surprise, then, that even while the bush admin seeks to extract the last Alaskan oil, that they decide to 'study' deploying solar on blm land? To make sense out of republican energy policies, you only need to ask yourself what makes the most profit for the large corporate interests in the short term.
This is totally unexceptable in a time where fuel, food and medical costs are rising faster than people can afford. You would think the government would be looking into these things like the other countries and doing somethin about it instead of saying "we're studying the idea". How many more milliions of dollars will be spent on this study. Look at the advantages versus the disadvantages. The windfarm that is shown on tv commercials that is in the west is a good example of using solar to the best advantage and it also brings in money from tourists that want to see the sight first hand.
Here's another big dodo egg for this administration to go down in history as anti people and pro big business (as in oil).
The Bush administration continues to set this country off course in search of oil profits and oil drilling. BushCo can't leave office fast enough. Sadly, even without Bush the 3rd (aka McCain) it will still take years to begin to undo the damage done by the worst president ever.
Some large corporations got to this committee and convinced them to shut this down. Unfortunately the solar industry doesn't have enough lobbyist in Washington yet. I'm sure those committee politicians are receiving excellent support from those oil companies for the upcoming election. Another embarrassing moment for the US.
Typical move by the Bush Administration. Federal lands are already used extensively for mining, forestry, oil, etc. These industries forever scar the land while reaping billions for those companies. Solar energy is a relatively benign occupation of the land. The benefits of solar energy far out weigh the negatives.
Impeach Bush Now!
Arrest all oil executives Now!
Close all oil speculating loopholes now!
Elect Obama Now!
Obviously there is something very wrong with our country on energy issues. There appears to be absolute total incompetency coupled with unbelievable apathy from our elected representatives. It is clear that this may very well be a turning point in history as we lose our super power staus over energy indecision. You know this decision was alllllllll political without any thought of the citizens of this country.
I told you they are not listening and do not care. They will bleed us til we all starve and no one will be left to serve the bloated fatcats.
Is this really a surprise? Alternative energy to the bushomatics is only about alternative sources of $ to the oil companies
The current US government is trying its best to twist the arms of the US public into backing increased offshore and refuge drilling. They will try to block anything that results in viable alternatives fossil or farm grown fuel based energy systems.
When we elect a oil man farmer from Texas, you should not be surprised at what their philosophy on the subject is :)
What is the matter with some people in the gov't are they on the payroll of Arab Oil? They seem to do everything to keep us dependent on Arab Oil.
I notice that this article only quotes Ausra. Two other solar thermal companies have welcomed the moratorium, since the flood of applications had deadlocked in the system. Nothing like telling only half the story.
6 more months and he's gone.... thank goodness
Government as usual!
If you want to check your oil, go to Washington, DC. That is where the dipsticks are.
Outrageous...Another Bush attempt to keep us dependent on fossil fuels.
This is the dumbest thing I have ever heard of. What has our government come to a bunch of bumbling bureauocrats.
No solar in the desert, no wind power on rthe Cape! Coors is giving the Democratic convention stale beer to run their cars in Denver. Better study that!
Vote them out, reduce the red tape and get things done.
A disgrace.
Why don't they "study" the impact of more harmful things like using corn to make gasoline?
It's become apparent, that we need a revolution in this country!!! Take back the government!!!
Isn't it clear yet? Special interests own the government and have virtually declared war on the populace through systematically converting "government of the people by the people for the people" to government of the oil cos. and an oligarchy of multi-national corp.s
Start with the Bush Nazi´s!
Clear out the halls of Congress, and give the power back to the people!!!!
I think this just assures more profit for the oil companies. No surprise there.
What? The government can't get their way to drill in federally protected wildlife areas so now, if they can't get their way, they're going to try to put the squeeze on us to give in to oil drilling here in the U.S.? I am dumfounded by this decision.
Our politicians are liars, hypocrites, and thieves. A Bush FAMILY oval office will NEVER do anything to decrease the our dependence on oil. Soon George will cut an ENORMOUS check to one of his family cronies to "explore offshore oil reserves" in Florida. They are the enemies of earthlings everywhere.
Bush and the rest of them will do everything they can to keep the US dependent on oil. This is one of their arrows in the quiver.
Just another Bush administration step along the way towards ensuring the future economic subjugation and international and business irrelevance of this nation ....
Don't misunderstand: I am all for environmental review, as well as for assuring that the solar utility leaseholders pay a fair share to the U.S. government, but a dead-stop moratorium (which is what this article seems to describe) is madness. The BLA should work with the applicants on a case-by-case basis, to find a model that works. If this results in a few less-than-ideal projects, then that's a small price to pay for promoting solar power in the U.S.
The US Government doesn't know what they are doing!
Complete idiots!
This just looks like a way to push the US into additional oil drilling into places such as Alaska and the intercontinental shelf.
They'll say we can't get enough solar energy up and that's why we need to do _________ (insert unpleasant but highly profitable energy thing here).
I did notice that they are greenlighting several nuclear reactor projects what will those be doing in 20 to 30 years?
We must move forward with solar initiatives. It is unacceptable that the oil lobbies has the ability to stop progress on the development of alternative resources.
Could the US government be any MORE self-destructive? Wait, please, don't answer that.
Dear sir or Madam
what it sounds like to me is that the powerful oil lobby which the present administration is very beholden to has once again seen to it that we remain oil dependent to there monopolistic tendencies
We allow oil compamies to drill on federal land and we subsidize their activities. For solar we need to do a study and maybe let their subsidies expire?
The danger with solar is that in 20-30 years they will not go away and allow the land to go back to wild. We will need those solar resources until someone can come up with a better alternative. So, this federal land may be used basically for ever.
What is the alternative? Fuel cells require hydrogren which takes huge amounts of energy to produce. Bio fuels consume grain that we need for food and the amount of energy produced by bio fuel may not be that much greater than the energy it takes to make it.
No one seems to want a wind mill within view of anything.
Maybe we should all send a quick note to our congressman and senators and let them know what we think about this.
This further demonstrates the already obvious lack of leadership by the Bush administration. This spineless cowardly act must be the behind-the-scenes work of carbon-based-industry lobbyists. We have the best government that money can buy.
This makes me sad and even more determined to establish a government in Washington that represents the people of the United States.
Shame! Shame! Shame!
That is just wrong! Big Oil strikes again - they sure don't study that long before the strip mine! Maybe when we get rid of our village idiot we can move forward.
As one of the riches and most powerful nations in the world we have the responsibility to take the lead in the fight against global warming. It is not good enough to “study” the situation. I think we have the “know how” and technology to take action NOW. In action is irresponsible. It is also an excuse not to move forward…… I have just come back to this wonderful country of ours after living in Asia for a year…… We have become soft and complacent as a society…… It’s time to be leaders now…… not tomorrow.
big oil companies can lobby like no other. Isn't it also interesting that we have a president that has an oil background and oil prices and profits are at al time high's
The government should be concerned about reclaiming the land. It belongs to the citizens of this country and use by private companies should not be taken lightly. There should be something in agreements with private companies using government land that there is zero impact to the land they are using and neighboring, citizens will benefit, and if what they are doing changes then so shall the agreement. In this case the impact is most likely zero, the benefit obvious, but future use not clear as is anything involving the future. Therefore the government should be cautious. Although progress might be sloed short term, I doubt there will be long term effects due to this. Germany may be ahead of us, but their government got involved long before ours has subsidizing their whole solar industry.
Here we go again, the environmental movement has become a self sustaining cult like group. It has set up it's own road blocks to prevent any improvement towards solving the energy problem. If we solved all the problems what would all of these professors do without global warming grants. Also, all of these environmentalists would walk aroung like lost souls without purpose. Problem solved, drill for the next 10 or so years while fostering the earths natual power ie., wind and the sun until the technology matches oil, and we will be problem free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This decision to freeze solar growth appears to be yet another sign of how US environmental policy is completely regressive and beholden only to the glut of wasteful pro big-business. Through this decision by the BLM, the government has made it very clear it has no interest in long-term energy efficiency and sustainability. As long as a US based company is making money off of some resource or other, however wasteful and harmful to the environment, these type of progressive solar and wind policies will never take hold because there is simply not enough profit to be made (if any at all). As Americans it is vital that we re-examine the extent of the consequences that rampant, unregulated capitalism has had on our recent past, our present, and our future quality of live via our surrounding environment. At some point in the all-too-near future the US is going to start to pay dearly (if we haven't started already...$4.00/gallon) for our short-sited energy policies.
Hmmm, sounds like the Bush Administration, killed the solar plants since the oil companies could not get any profits out of it! Anything that reduces the US dependence of fossil fuels, is somehow viewed as being evil by the current adm. and most republicans in general!
This is shameful and we need to contact our representatives in the Congress to look into this matter and reverse it This decision makes no sense whatsoever given the circumstances (high oil prices), and one can't help but wonder if there's some pressure from Bush's oil buddies behind this decision. America should be taking the lead in encouraging renewable energy projects, not killing them. Shameful!!
Typical of the current Republican misfits. How will we reclaim the land after the oil refineries go belly up or more nuclear facilities need cleaning up! This is the enduring legacy of Bush-Cheney, two of the most criminal misfits ever elected!
This is only the latest in a series of disappointing failures by the present administration to move toward energy self-sufficiency. What a bunch of clowns! Out with them!
Don't you just love to watch the ironic twist as environmentalists collide with their
own prohibitions? I can see the headline now : "Environmentlaists dispute enforcement of environmental laws they worked to create." Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
Boston.com misses the point completely.
The bureaucracy of United States Government must be managed by the same types of individuals running General Motors (take no chances and make no mistakes). Both types of bureaucrats are short sighted and are guilty of squandering our nation’s grasp for clean energy and destroying the corporate gem General Motors. Our political and corporate leaders demonstrate a complete lack of foresight to plan for the future.
Where is the New Manhattan project for renewable energy resources?
Oh by the way, the Kyoto Protocol 181 nations are waiting for the US to sign as a developed country. Few have thought about how underdeveloped the United States is when it comes to home insulation. In the 1960’s and 70’s I lived in Japan and Germany, homes built in these countries for centuries have been well constructed, insulated and have walls a few feet thick. Homes in the United States consist of walls made of cardboard, wood 1/2 inch thick with 3/8 thick insulation material and some dead air space. I if I could I would use savings, to re-insulate my home, but I decided to send my children to college, which taps me out. If we sign on to the Kyoto Protocol, how are we going to heat our homes in the winter? Coal or wood are the only options until enough money is saved to rebuild / reinsulated our buildings.
Are you kidding me?
What is wrong with this country?
This is a crime against the American people. The obstructionism of the Bush administration against climate change and any non-oil based energy development is well established, and beyond a reasonable doubt. This latest prohibition in the face of $140 barrels of oil that are sure to go up says one thing: We don't give a damn about the people.
This is not leadership. It is treason.
another example of gov ineptitude, both dems and repubs.we should be embarassed we elected these morons.
This headline and blog summary got my blood boiling over yet another example of mindless government stupidity, until I read the full NYT article.
Turns out, these are huge, HUGE solar projects the BLM wants to look at, with the potential of taking up more than a million acres of public (i.e., taxpayer-subsidized) land.
Hey, I hate paying $4 gas as much as the next guy. And I think solar is one of the best, cleanest, most renewable sources of energy around. But I also think we need to be smart about how the generation of alternative resources - as promising as they may be - impacts the environment in which those resources are generated.
This has always been the approach with hydro power (remember the snail darter?), nuclear, and is currently a big part of the discussion about whether to allow a giant wind turbine farm to be constructed on Nantucket Sound.
You wouldn't think there would be much impact from a bunch of mirrors sitting around in the desert. But as the NYT points out, there are the effects of construction, the transmission lines, the use of scare water resources, etc. And what about all those desert tortoises and Mohave ground squirrels?
I'm sure solar companies with proposals before the BLM think assessments are a total waste of time. But if solar power is the legitimate part of "the answer" they say it is, their profits will come in due time.
What!
What kind of wrong thinking is this?
Yet we can give away or lease for almost no cost to energy and mining companies our natural resources that cause pollution and dependancy on pollution creating fossil fuels - Colorado mining, Alaska and Florida oil leases for drilling?
Truly this is time for revolutionary change in our government and corporations as well as the people of the US.
who says this is not an oil regime?
typical brain dead republican bush policy. protect our buddies in the oil business etc. over and above public interest and common sense and decency. This presidency has been the most destructive in history to every aspect of our society.
Congrats all you morons who voted for the king of all morons and his merry band.
This country is melting away and the legislatures are being payed off by the big oil companies to let them. They have billions of dollars to throw around and they are certainly doing it!
Once again other countries are going to forge ahead of us and in this case it will be in the delevopment of solar power.
Why isn't our country thinking about the future of our children and their health?
The answer is simple, the US government, at least the one in power now, is run by Big Oil. They are desparate to keep the US oil dependent from our military giving their lives in Iraq to PR campaigns that tout their "green" to ridiculous claims of oil still available in the ground in the US and Canada. They receive amazing tax credits and pocket huge amounts of money all while the US sells its soul to those countries that would do us in like the Middel East and Venezuela. All their money buys a lot of votes, especially those in the Republican party. There will be Congressional hearings about Big Oil, lots of sabre rattling, and nothing will happen. Until we stop wasting oil and natural gas energy, start pushing for alternatives, and stop electing poiticians in Big Oil's pockets, we will be victims.
You don't provide much information here, but for a government that is so anxious to drill for oil on public lands to block the use of these lands for solar is a pretty bald revelation of which corporate interests are pulling the strings.
so it looks as if once again our govt. is standing in the way of finding alternative energy. Look, solar may or may not be the answer but I'm sick and tired of hearing about our politicians standing in the way of getting off our addition to oil. What makes the most sense to me, is find an alternative fuel source it could be solar, wind, nuclear, or fill in the blank, while we move in that direction and we slowly wean ourselves off of our dependence to oil we drill in our own country. Over time as this new energy source will replace oil, but it can take decades and I don't think this country can continue to be led around by the nose by the middle east for that long.
Can you say OIL, When a president has to go to Saudi Arabia and BEG them to INCREASE output and they refuse, how did that make the most powerful man in the world feel.....used like a throwaway toy. We as a country need to change our direction away from the middle east
This is stupid. Worse, it is illogical. We have to get off Big Oil's stranglehold if we are to grow our way out of this anemic economy. Solar and windpower are our two greatest weapons in our battle to regain our independence from oil kings who have taken over America, much as King George III had the thirteen colonies before the Revolution. We need all our native resources. The Israelis have long employed solar out of similar concerns. Soalr doesn't deplete the lands like coal mining or oil drilling do, and, for all the noise from the American Petroleum Institute, the coal industry and the nuclear industry, solar leaves nothing behind in the way of dangerous contaminants. It is rather like the microprocessor business, in that silicon is the chief component.
It says something, I beleive, that the Bureau of Land Management is packed with "inside men" from the legacy fossil-fuel industry, which is about paer for the course for the Mesquite Mafia-Rove,Cheney and Company-that put Junior in the Oval Office in 2000. The same BLM okayed the drilling of the Alaska National Wildlife Refute, even though the total estimated reserves, at current levels of depletion, will only last a matter of months, will take ten years to bring to market, and will lower retail U.S. gasoline prices, on average, by only a penny. That's just chump change.
This is another example of Bush and Cheney running the government for the benefit their buddies in the oil industry.
One can see the current crisis in part as a failure of the Cheney energy plan seven years ago to address alternate energy supplies and sensitivity of the oil industry to disruptions like Katrina, unrest in Nigeria and growing demand in India and China.
Just another example of our government being run by Big Oil
Another Study?!!!? How much study do we need to know and understand that as a country we need to be looking for alternative energy resources. Our independence as a nation is at stake.
This is just one more effort on the part of the Bush administration to continue our dependance on his (Bush) Saudi masters' oil.
My question for the BLM is "why would the solar plants not be there in 20 to 30 years, will there be no need for energy at that time?'.
Think about it....
HMMM....Could the Oil companies be behind this? Oil record high, growing outrage for more alternative energy, all of a sudden the gov't puts the brakes on it? I bet you if ExxonMobil wanted some bureau land for a new refinery it would be on the fasttrack!
What would you expect with two oil men in the White House?
In this particular administration, this seems suspicious. Our government calls for more oil drilling, "damn" the environmental impact but now they want to slow the solar industry to study the environmental impact.
Once again, the GW Bush government shows itself to be THE worst in our nation's history. At a time when we have a desperate need to wean ourselves from fossil fuels and develop alternate energy sources, it is imperative to promote development of clean renewables such as solar power. Impeding its progress is incomprehensible, indefensible, and just plain dumb.
Meanwhile, let's trump up fiction about China drilling for oil off Cuba (news media parrots without fact checking), then push the next week for oil drilling off the US coasts.
How much more corrupt can it get?
As the head of a solar energy IT company, an American citizen, and someone very concerned (for years) with the national energy situation, this decision is appalling.
In my dream nation, the Democrats would suddenly develop spine and pass a law making it a criminal offense to shut off public lands for this vital purpose. Then, let the jailing begin.
But no. They can barely keep our Constitution intact.
US Government == asshats
I think this is a typically hypocritical choice by the Bush administration: bend over backwards to rape fragile lands in Alaska for or pollute our off-shore waters for oil drilling (never mind how they plan to 'reclaim' the land), and deflect all attempts at renewable energy development.
Typical.
Think about it. These solar panels will shade the ground and little will grow. Wind and rain will take their toll on the dirt.
By now it is obvious that the Congress is for sale to the highest bidder. And has been for a long time. The country is spiralling down to destruction, obviously.
Who would benefit financially from this action? Too often these things happen because the right people are bought off.
it sounds to me like the political process is in the back pocket of and serving the oil industry. Solar is a proven alternative that can be built within the cities and towns to steer away from oil dependency and monopoly....
Let me guess: ExxonMobile and Haliburton are not big investors in solar energy.
This is the same administration that says we're all destined for destruction unless we drill in ANWR?
The government is controlled by people who are very deeply related to the oil industry.
I don't even have words to describe how I feel about this. It is mind boggling that the US continues to go down the wrong road.
why comment./////////////// it's like anything else let's study it first, like the Blue Line extension into Lynn, have been studying it for 40 years..............
Finding an alternative energy source in this country that can eventually replace most of our dependence on foreign oil should be the nation's, and any presidential candidate's, top priority. Resolving this has a far-reaching impact, beyond the obvious beneficial environmental ones. It would affect global politics, international relations, and the economy. We are all feeling, with our wallets, how this over-reliance can affect so many aspects of American lives. Programs such as this solar one should be fast-tracked, not delayed. And hey, I'm not even a Democrat! It is such a no-brainer, and so dismaying to see things like this happen....I guess those oil companies have a little more clout than companies such as Evergreen Solar....