In California, the production of a new solar power plant by BrightSource Energy has caused concern over its effect on the desert tortoise. The land that the solar power plant will be constructed on will eliminate an area of rare plants that the desert tortoise needs for its habitat and will make the tortoises relocate. In order to deal with the growing concern, BrightSource Energy has agreed to revise the project and create a new design that reduces the size of the solar power plant by 12%. This revision is designed so that the area of rare plants that the power plant originally would have destroyed will be avoided and not as many tortoises will have to be relocated. Even with these intentions of the proposal design, many say that the size reduction will not be enough to protect the tortoises and may do more harm than good because it will decrease the power plant’s electricity generation. Some people have recommended that the power plant be relocated to an area that would not have any effect on the tortoise’s habitat. If BrightSource can resolve these issues and complete the project, it will be a very important step for other solar power plant projects that have been facing obstacles while undergoing licensing.
I feel as though the size reduction of the power plant should be sufficient enough to at least allow people to be more comfortable about the production of the plant. Costs and benefits of this project need to be weighed before deciding how to proceed forward, and I think that the revision to the plan will provide species protection while helping the environment by providing renewable energy. There needs to be a balance between a realistic alteration of the plan and guaranteed safety of every desert tortoise in the area. It is very important to protect the tortoise, but if the project revision was any more dramatic than the 12% increase, it is likely that the project would not be able to be completed because of funding. A solar power plant will provide so much “green” energy and the completion of this project will be a big step for other renewable energy projects.
--Kelsea Croteau
