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Why environmental groups would oppose a renewable energy project

Posted by: Maven on June 6, 2009 at 6:22 am

From Bishop’s Inyo Register:

The Coso Geothermal Plant, the largest producer of geothermal energy on the planet, and reportedly the hottest geothermal reservoir in the world, is moving forward with its project to pump water, arguably the most precious resource in the Eastern Sierra and the state, to continue generating power in a financially viable way.

But a strange dichotomy is happening with Coso’s renewable energy venture that has environmental advocates staunchly opposed to the project, which would not produce the amount of greenhouse gases that a normal coal or natural gas powered plant would. At issue is the fact that Coso needs to pump water from an aquifer and in the process possibly cause irreversible damage to that area, specifically the Little Lake riparian area.

It is no secret that the Owens Valley has a long and turbulent history concerning water and its exportation from the area, usually for the monetary profits of a few. So this new water war is emerging as the country moves toward weening itself off of imported fossil fuels.

Environmental advocates, at the national and local level, support renewables, but only if the project is truly renewable. Carl Zichella, director of the Sierra Club’s Western Renewable Programs, said that the club is “generally, a big supporter of renewable energy, as they are a very important piece of the future.” He continued by praising geothermal power for its continuous “non-intermittent” energy source that runs 24 hours a day, unlike other renewables that depend on sunlight or wind.

But, the Sierra Club’s official stance on renewable energy projects is to approach them “on a case by case basis,” Zichella said Tuesday. “We need them (geothermal power plants) desperately, but we need to be careful,” Zichella explained. “Geothermal power is not really possible or appropriate everywhere.”

Read more from the Inyo Register by clicking here.

June 6, 2009 · Filed Under Energy & Water

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