U.S. Freeze on Solar Energy Projects Lifted

And so we see our unelected government at work again, making the type of decisions that can bring to ruin our best hopes for a better future. So, does anyone have oversight of the BLM? Surely there's a congressional subcommittee asleep at the switch.

There's plenty of space in the Sahara for this sort of thing. If the USA won't do it, then so what?

Well I didn't hear about this ban but it seems pretty foolish. Anything to keep the big energy companies in power. At least they seem to be partially back on track (probably due to a lot of complaints)

Does anyone know how long this ban went on for?

The ban never really affected anything. It got shot down too fast.

Clean coal was also shut down, and is still dormant. We have two plants ready to go in central Illinois. All the planning anyway. One was terminated by the Dept of Energy when Texas wasn't picked and Illinois was. The other is also in Illinois. The state will not cooperate with arranging financing. It also came out that a large conventional coal company lobbied against it. They did not want a clean alternative.

Alternative energy has enemies in many powerful sectors. Big companies do not want people to have options for cleaner or cheaper energy. They can only be overcome by "distributed energy". That is energy that can be created on medium scale, or by individuals. Solar, wind, micro-hydro, geothermal, wood pellets, wood, gasification of rubbish and cellulose etc.

On the other end you have extreme environmentalist who don't want any kind of development anywhere. Just as importantly you have ordinary folks who don't want to look at a wind turbine or solar field, especially in the ocean.

Many politicians are in the pocket of the big industrialists. You can usually figure out who they are. They will not actively support alternative energy, and like to belittle it.

While the original decision to halt new projects was a bad decision, I have to say that the folks at BLM, with probably significant influence from outside, does deserve some credit for realizing their error and having the guts to reverse it. Unfortunately more people will hear about the moratorium that will hear about the reversal which may have an affect on the momentum in this industry. Definitely not in the best interest of the solar industry which is steadily growing in size and relevance.

Un-freakin-believeable.

Why am I still surprised :(

While BLM continues with its Programmatic Environmental Impact Study (PEIS), it has reversed the decision to accept no more applications for new projects. Additionally, BLM has extended the online comment period to 15 July, so you all have an opportunity still to get in your jabs if that is your need.

You might want to look at the issues first,, though. Let me suggest: Start at http://solareis.anl.gov/. It includes a small library of pertinent documents, FAQ's, and an interesting statement that their actions are taken in response to both Statute (from Congress) and an executive order.

You will also find near the bottom an explanation of sorts. It seems that environment impact studies were made on projects individually in the past. That means a minimum two year study on each of what must be 150+ proposed projects by now. That is such a large instant backlog the Government would do well to get them done in the next decade. The PEIS, on the other hand, allows the establlishment of ground rules and guidance for all projects at once. It might be done in two years if highly expedited. It might shorten the review period for projects to weeks or months rather than years.

This is not working against alternative energy efforts. It simply acknowledges the futility of further destroying the environment on which we all depend in order to provide more energy quickly.

Look over the website. Consider what is best. Flood them with comments. You have seven days.

('Don't think you have to be in US or US citizen to comment. Go for it. :)

I looked over the website. They have had way more than enough time to accomplish all of this already. They already have all the data from prior work. They are in a position to make solid recommendations on guidelines now. Details can be worked out quickly.

We are in an economic war with OPEC. Our nation is in danger of economic disaster. All national lands aside from national parks are mandated for multi use in the national interest.

This type of bureaucratic thumb twiddling is just a way to procrastinate. This pleases the established large power companies, who won't have to fear competition, and the extreme environmentalists, who can complement themselves on their extremism. It harms the vast majority of Americans.

Anyway, thanks for the reference.

What a bunch of 'merchant Bankers'*...

Two years to evaluate the environmental impact?....Jeez you could do it in a week easy and still have time for golf.

Del

*(That's rhyming slang .. for the uninitiated...)

The blog title seems to contradict the text...

Is there a ban or is it lifted...I'm getting fuzzy now?

Confuse a Cat

The environmental extremists think the solar collectors might endanger some rare species of something by changing the environment. To them is is better that millions of people suffer or thousands die than have the tiniest plant or creature inconvenienced. They scream loudly, using the "Bambi" syndrome to blackmail the Leftist, most emotional politicians into banning or limiting or studying to death every process that might produce energy in quantities that would support our civilization. I have yet to be answered as to what form of energy production, large enough to maintain our present technological civilization is not opposed by some environmental extremist group.

The people know what they want, more production of our own energy. The Leftist party refuses to act and, except for a few, the other party looks the other way, despite what the people want. Who is in charge, the rabid environmentalists who dictate what the politicians can do, or the people the politicians are supposed to represent?

Bambi: Ooooh Mommy it has gone rather cool and shady since the Nasty Men have built this huge solar array.

Mom: Well step away from the shadow you little git.

There's no food growing in the shadow anyway, so Bambi starves or runs out on the highway or into someones garden. Call the Animal Control officers!