Originally Posted by Mikeyy

So use oil and coal or you are retarded?

Originally Posted by Topcat

Right now we are dependent on oil I would like to see the USA (World really phase out of using it). Please keep in mind that alternatives such as wind, solar, nuclear, coal, etc. do have their their draw backs. It seems like for now we are stuck with a mix. Name calling won't help.

Originally Posted by jimbo

The article cited is just a small part of the problems mentioned. Among others:

The plant is killing birds at the rate of over 700/day. Many of these are species on the endangered or threatened lists. There are so many being killed that one proposal to locate the dead and injured birds is to train dogs to find them.

This does not include land dwelling species, the most prominent of which is the desert tortoise, which were moved at a cost of 56 million. Turns out that the move didn't work as well as expected, and a recent proposal is use another hundreds of acres to fence and dedicate to desert tortoise habitat. There are also several other species of endangered mammals and reptiles and plants that have lost their environment.

The plant is now allotted 5.5 times the original estimate of gas usage, while the plant is currently producing about half the design energy. I cannot find estimates of increased pollution, but presumably 5.5 times more natural gas would produce 5.5 times the pollution.

Pilots are complaining of the danger of stray light blinding them. (It is illegal to shine laser beams or other high intensity light at planes. Apparently this does not apply to solar mirrors)

Plant construction and footprint destroyed 3500 acres of public land. By contrast a nuclear plant producing a similar amount of energy would use 38 acres, and at less potential damage to the environment.

All this from a plant paid for with a 1.3 billion loan guarantee from the taxpayer, which the plant owners claim to be unable to pay. Their solution is a 500+ million grant from the taxpayer so that the loan will not fall in arrears. Said grant has been applied for. I'd give odds they will get it.

There is good news concerning California solar, however. Last month a similar proposed plant was scrapped.

Originally Posted by Mikeyy

Do you guys all work for big oil? I know lots of people with solar on their homes and they like it. I have had solar water heating and it works great. Kept my pool at 90 degrees. Too hot really. Ya'll keep those negative stories coming while you watch your neighbors install panels.

Originally Posted by Dog Man

56 million to move turtles??? Damn, I'm in the wrong business.

Originally Posted by jimbo

Saving desert tortoises is a costly hurdle for solar projects | VenturaCountyTrails.org News

The story is worth reading.

Seems that the tortoises liked it just fine where they were and keep trying to go home. The latest plan is to establish an enclosed plot and release the tortoises in the parcel. Like placing them in a zoo.

Originally Posted by CindyB

They have been talking about euthanizing all the Desert Tortoise around here, can you believe it?

Originally Posted by CindyB

They have been talking about euthanizing all the Desert Tortoise around here, can you believe it?