Dear Editor,
I am glad to see the article about the solar farm in the Green River Star. I just wanted to clarify what I said was referring not to the BLM, but to the RSGA (Rock Springs Grazing Association) and Wyoming Game and Fish Department, who both spoke against this project at the planning and zoning commission meeting earlier that I attended. The BLM is still reviewing this project under the Environmental Assessment process, with a decision expected in June. Thank you for noting the short 15-day public comment period prior to the process.
For the first industrial solar project in the state, with more to follow, it is discouraging to see that more deference is given to a foreign corporation (Sweetwater Solar is not a local company, and 80 percent of construction costs are not going to benefit either the state or local economy), than to the antelope and other wildlife that utilize this habitat – land which also is used by local stock growers.
This project will take a multiple use area and turn it into a single use one, at the cost of what makes our part of the world so great - free roaming wildlife that can still make their annual migrations to and from summer and winter ranges.
That this project has the green light from those in power makes sense at first glance. It appears to appeal to all their check offs - diversify both the economy and energy, increase the tax base, and give off the impression of being “green.” Instead, this project will create an environmental dead zone. There are enough concerns to slow the process down.
Our county needs a comprehensive land use plan, that starts out with recognition of known migration routes. Unfortunately, at least two of the commissioners spoke passionately at the meeting about their feeling that the game and fish is being an obstruction to progress (they suggested an alternative site).
It would also be nice to have some conversations about energy. Is industrial solar really the best approach? Or does using existing structures – like houses and buildings, make a lot more sense? Our state is “energy central.”
The issues are not as simple as some might lead us to believe. Let’s not sacrifice what makes Wyoming unique in the process.
Michelle Irwin
Green River
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