Bill would allow solar power plants without environmental impact studies

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher just introduced a bill to Congress that would allow companies to erect large solar power plants without having to produce environmental impact studies, in order to expedite the approval process.

The Bureau of Land Management, which oversees the necessary environmental studies, has a back log of 130 applications for large-scale solar operations, and has not issued a permit to date.

“We’re in the middle of a crisis and the well-being of ordinary people is being damaged greatly by the price of energy,” Rohrabacher said.

Democratic challenger and mayor of Huntington Beach, Debbie Cook, agrees that the process of approving solar power plants is sluggish and needs to be sped up, but not at the expense of the environment.

“This is just another extreme position by Dana Rohrabacher. What we need to do is come up with a balanced approach that streamlines these projects, because they’re critically import to our energy future, but at the same time recognizes the impacts to the environment,” Cook said.

Federal officials charged with the oversight of environmental impact studies said the solar plants, although they sound benign, are extremely large and require the removal of vast swaths of vegetation. A single 250 Megawatt plant would require 2 square miles of land. If not properly scrutinized, the solar plants have the potential to destroy wildlife habitat, affect water resources, limit outdoor recreation opportunities and prove to be eyesores.

Because of the energy crisis, Rohrabacher said, he is placing a higher priority on the needs of human beings, who are spending their discretionary income on gas, than on wildlife.

“My opponent has demonstrated again that she cares more about animals than she does about people,” Rohrabacher said.