Esmeralda County, Nevada, one of the most sparsely populated regions in the nation, is at the center of a growing debate over a proposed solar energy project that could become the largest in North America. As the second-least densely populated county in the U.S., situated with the country’s third sunniest state, Esmeralda might seem like an ideal location for solar energy development, however, the residents of this rural community are not convinced.
The proposed solar project, if approved, would cover an area roughly the size of Las Vegas, right in the heart of Esmeralda County. At full capacity, the project could generate enough electricity to power over 5.5 million homes, nearly five times the energy needs of the entire state of Nevada.
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Many residents are concerned that the construction of this solar project would lead to the loss of the county’s natural beauty, which they believe should remain untouched. The land designated for the project is largely undeveloped and was once considered for state park status.
Beyond environmental concerns, there is also apprehension about the potential social impacts of this renewable energy initiative.
The construction phase of the project is expected to take five years and would likely require a workforce that could outnumber the county’s current population. This possible influx of workers is alarming to locals who fear it could fundamentally alter the character of their isolated community.
Ultimately though, the decision on whether to proceed with the project may be beyond the control of local residents. The vast majority — about 97% — of Esmeralda County’s land is federally owned and managed by the Bureau of Land Management, including the area slated for the solar project.
Environmental groups have petitioned the government agency to designate portions of the land for special environmental protections, but these efforts have largely been met with resistance from federal authorities.
JACK ALYMER: IT’S THE SECOND LEAST densely POPULATED COUNTY IN THE CONTINENTAL U.S.
LOCATED IN THE NATION’S THIRD SUNNIEST STATE.
SO, WITH FEW PEOPLE AND AMPLE SUNLIGHT, NEVADA’S ESMERALDA COUNTY SEEMS LIKE THE PERFECT PLACE TO PUT A WHOLE BUNCH OF SOLAR PANELS.
WELL, NOT IF YOU ASK THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE.
DEVELOPERS ARE LOOKING TO CONSTRUCT NORTH AMERICA’S LARGEST SOLAR PROJECT EVER ON THESE LANDS.
IF BUILT, IT WOULD SIT RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF THE COUNTY AND BE ABOUT THE SIZE OF LAS VEGAS.
AT FULL CAPACITY, ALL THOSE PANELS COULD POWER OVER 5 AND A HALF MILLION HOMES-
NEARLY ENOUGH ENERGY TO KEEP THE ENTIRE STATE RUNNING FIVE TIMES OVER.
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WHILE THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION ZONE SITS ON LARGELY UNDEVELOPED LANDS-
MANY LOCALS WOULD RATHER SEE THIS PLACE LEFT UNTOUCHED.
THEY’RE CONCERNED ABOUT SACRIFICING THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THIS AREA-
ONCE CONSIDERED FOR STATE PARK STATUS.
ADDITIONALLY, THE WORKFORCE NEEDED FOR THIS FIVE-YEAR PROJECT WOULD LIKELY END UP OUTNUMBERING THE COUNTY’S CURRENT POPULATION.
THAT POTENTIAL INFLUX OF PEOPLE IS CONCERNING ESMERALDA RESIDENTS WHO DON’T WANT THEIR ISOLATED RURAL COMMUNITY TO CHANGE.
ULTIMATELY THOUGH, THE DECISION MAY BE OUT OF THEIR HANDS.
97 PERCENT OF THE COUNTY IS COMPRISED OF FEDERALLY OWNED LANDS OVERSEEN BY THE BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT-
WHICH INCLUDES THE PLANNED SOLAR PROJECT SITE.
ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS HAVE PETITIONED THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY TO DESIGNATE A PORTION OF THE LAND FOR SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS.
BUT THEIR EFFORTS HAVE LARGELY BEEN MET WITH RESISTANCE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
FOR MORE STORIES ABOUT CONFLICT BETWEEN GREEN ENERGY PROJECTS AND THE LOCALS LIVING NEAR THEM, DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP AND SIGN UP FOR ALERTS FROM ME – JACK AYLMER.
