On Sunday, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) is actively opposing a measure to build 13 solar and wind power projects in the Mojave Desert. Of the proposed 1 million acres of desert land, about a quarter of it was donated to the federal government by a private source for land conservation, a fact that Feinstein apparently is using as justification for her decision.
Her opposition to the plan is a major setback for the "green" movement, yet many California environmental groups are thrilled with this decision. Wait... what? That's right — the extreme left is opposed to solar energy in the middle of the desert. But why?
Probably because, like all alternative energy proposals, there are negative consequences. The scenic and diverse landscape of the Mojave Desert, for example, is far too precious as a natural treasure to be developed, even if the development is a step toward clean energy, or if the development isn't all that intrusive, anyway. Like solar panels, for instance.
