Cruel irony: Do renewable power plants threaten their surrounding environment?

Scientific American by Larry Greenemeier | Mar. 26, 2009 (News Analysis)

Do the potential benefits of plants that use renewable sources such as wind and solar to generate energy outweigh the environmental damage that could be caused to make way for them? Californians are grappling with that very question as the state moves ahead with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's plan to have utility companies generate one-third of the state's energy from renewable sources by 2020; today renewables account for 12 percent of their output. Full Story »

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by Derek Hawkins - Mar. 26, 2009

This captures several sides of the debate over how California can move forward in green energy development. Several recent and relevant news items are highlighted in this helpful analysis.

California’s effort reflects the fed’s own enthusiasm for green energy—the economic stimulus package is loaded with $59 billion in energy and in tax incentives designed to promote clean energy… But some Californians see a darker side to building the solar power plants on previously pristine land, where Joshua trees grow although not many people live.

Derek posted this story.