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Michael's avatar

Horrifying, enraging. All abstraction to easterners and urbanites, all heartache for we westerners who treasure our empty landscapes. I've been to most of the places listed and what is proposed would effectively destroy them. We are just now escaping the clutches of Big Oil, only to fall into the even worse grasp of Big Solar.

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Karen Klitz's avatar

What happened to rooftop solar? If that were the default source for electricity in all possible areas we would not have to be trying to stop these horrific projects across wild areas.

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Kristi T's avatar

What can us laymen do???

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Ashley Duval's avatar

Lifetimes of heartbreak is right. Please do keep us updated on resistance!

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Aaron's avatar

What a shocking and sobering update, but I appreciate you putting it together Patrick. I live in one of the affected areas and have had incredible experiences in several of them. It would be great if you could recommend some of the most effective ways that people like myself can help preserve these massive areas of unique wilderness.

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Scott Mortimore's avatar

Thanks so much for throwing up this red flag. My friends and I see this trend spreading across Nevada like a cancer, disguised by the notion that it's a "natural" energy resource. We wonder why fewer attempts aren't being made to apply solar panels to the thousands of tilt-up warehouses that have risen across Nevada as well. It's a terrifying prospect and it concerns me that I can't one day visit these deserts with my children without being blinded by panels and greed.

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Marge Garcia-Lien's avatar

Making these places available for solar development does not mean it will happen. Most of these areas are quite remote and do not have the electrical grid in place to carry large amounts of electricity. In addition, many of them have frequent periods of high winds that would make solar difficult and not economic. Some are so isolated that servicing any solar installation would be expensive. The distances in the West are an issue in installation, maintenance, and electricity distribution. So I’d suggest everyone relax. And if you do not live in one of these areas but are opposed to putting a solar farm in one of these remote areas, why not find some rooftops in your communities. The cities will be where most of the energy is needed. Produce it there.

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