Solar Power Cause For Environmental Concern: Only in America

 

I was flabbergasted when I read this article over the weekend. Apparently the U.S. Bureau of Land Management is holding up the construction of new solar power stations because they feel it's necessary to evaluate the possible environmental damage.  Of putting solar panels in open fields.  In the middle of an oil crisis.

 

Only in America!

 

This either had "Coal Lobby" written all over it or I've just completely underestimated how closely the level of bureaucracy in this country has come to resemble the government in Terry Gilliam's film Brazil.

 

It is unbelievable to me that out of all the projects that are going forward, somehow putting solar panels in the middle of an open field was considered a potential environmental threat that needed to be halted until further study could be done.  It is unconscionable that this happened now of all times.  The most astounding (and damning) thing is that the alternatives to solar power, predominantly coal and oil, are some of the most pollutant technologies in existence and aren't just damaging their local environments but potentially the global balance of so-called greenhouse gasses.

 

…but yet those companies will retain their dominance for a few more years at least thanks to this decision.  I'm disgusted.