
BLM Proposes 22 Million Acres of Public Lands for Solar Energy - EcoWatch
The U.S. DOI announced a new solar energy “roadmap” including 22 million acres of public lands to expand solar energy development in the West

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Cost is the short answer. It takes more steel and engineering for a lesser return (smaller footprint) compared to 40, 80, 500, 1xxx acres.Landing at Sky Harbor the other day, I was struck by the hundreds of acres of warehouse rooftops with literally no solar. I know nothing about the topic, so can someone explain to me why we don’t invest more in rooftop solar?
my understanding is that its 22 million acres that are available, up to 700,000 would be utilized. Still makes me sick. 700,000 acres of ruined public land.I don't like the sounds of this at all. How can you have minimal impact when it's 22 million acres good grief!!
Only California is foolish enough to pay the high cost of solar electricity, and they are finally starting to figure out that it is a bad idea.Landing at Sky Harbor the other day, I was struck by the hundreds of acres of warehouse rooftops with literally no solar. I know nothing about the topic, so can someone explain to me why we don’t invest more in rooftop solar?
I think you read this article and just came to the conclusion you had before you opened it.Only California is foolish enough to pay the high cost of solar electricity, and they are finally starting to figure out that it is a bad idea.
Cost is the short answer. It takes more steel and engineering for a lesser return (smaller footprint) compared to 40, 80, 500, 1xxx acres.
Actually, I didn't read the article cause it had a paywall. Glad you read it though. I did read this one that didn't have a paywall from pro solar journalists.I think you read this article and just came to the conclusion you had before you opened it.
Yes, but these articles are literally making the point that distributed solar power (roof top) is cheaper and more efficient than traditional grid power. The problem is the power company can't charge them for grid maintenance expenses (and I will add what the author didn't, the cost of insurance and lawsuits for every time a power line causes a wildfire). In summary, the cost effectiveness of putting a solar panels on your roof in that region is very good (even without the subsidies), unfortunately the high upfront cost can only be borne by those with wealth, thereby transferring the cost of grid maintenance to the poor. But that is the problem with everything in America. Having money has its benefits. I would think this is a good counter argument to developing large scale projects on BLM.Actually, I didn't read the article cause it had a paywall. Glad you read it though. I did read this one that didn't have a paywall from pro solar journalists.
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California reduces payments for rooftop solar power — for second time in a year
The utilities commission reduced financial incentives for solar power at apartments, schools and businesses despite a barrage of criticism.calmatters.org
"The commission said it altered the rates because paying solar panel owners near-retail prices allows these mostly wealthy property owners to avoid paying a fair share of maintaining the grid, while saddling everyone else with higher electric bills, including low-income customers."
Getting access to the grid is a problem for all these renewable companies, regardless of location. In many cases the power companies have no incentive to let them link in, as BHR's article point out. This is all fixed with $$$.There are some fantastic locations for solar power in this country - every one of em on private land.
The biggest problem with solar, is that it only produces electricity when the sun is shining. Solve that problem first before wrecking 700,000 acres of public land.
"It's nice that we'll have a thread on Thursday when BHR is going to get into another 10 page throw down over energy stuff", refuting information in an article he has not yet read.It's nice that we'll have a thread on Thursday when BHR is going to get into another 10 page throw down over energy stuff.
"It's nice that we'll have a thread on Thursday when BHR is going to get into another 10 page throw down over energy stuff", refuting information in an article he has not yet read.
I wonder what miners or oil drillers get paid? I was under tge assumption we didn't care?And the BLM doesn't control any of that real estate.
If developers were to tackle this, it would require subsidies and grants for new developments as well as extend and expand current programs to hasten the transition. Currently, the only thing stopping developers from adding solar options is reduced profitability of the development by a small percentage. History has shown us that industry rarely rises to the challenge without massive gov't intervention.
There are parts of this plan are troubling. Stacking more development on public lands is always problematic, but the agency is looking at siting that help mitigate new infrastructure (roads, transmission lines, etc) that have cascading effects on wildlife populations. Developing within the existing developed footprint is ok-ish I guess.
I'd much rather see urban development rather than on public lands, but these are also good paying jobs that help transition energy workers w/o a loss of income or lifestyle.
Understood. But you always ruin it for us old farts on the forum who have our minds made up ... then you muddle things up with a bunch of stinking facts!No judgements, Dick. I'm just here for the in-between memo writing breaks.
I wonder what miners or oil drillers get paid? I was under tge assumption we didn't care?