Three opposing environmental groups have released comments on
the Solargen Energy proposal for Panoche Valley.
Three opposing environmental groups have released comments on the Solargen Energy proposal for Panoche Valley.
The three statements were released together by the groups.
Audubon California has expressed concern about Solargen Energy’s proposal for a 420-megawatt facility in Panoche Valley due to the environmentally sensitive birds and habitat in that area, according to a statement from the group.
Audubon California has listed Panoche Valley as an “Important Bird Area of Global Significance” because it hosts more than 12 sensitive bird species, including the mountain plover, which is under review by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to be listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
 In addition to the mountain plover, Panoche Valley is also celebrated for its high concentrations of wintering raptors and enormous sparrow flocks, according to Audubon. California bird species of special concern here include the burrowing owl, grasshopper sparrow, northern harrier, and loggerhead shrike. Audubon watchlist birds include the sage sparrow and the long-billed curlew. Birds of prey commonly observed include prairie falcon, white-tailed kite and golden eagle, a California fully protected species, according to the group.
Audubon noted that chapters from all over the region visit this valley regularly for field trips and bird surveys, and are perhaps most knowledgeable about the importance of this habitat for birds.
The Sacramento-based Defenders of Wildlife’s statement focused on the effect the solar panels would have on the wildlife. The statement said the project would lead to a destruction of the habitats of the endangered kit fox, blunt-nosed lizards and other species. The activist group did say they support renewable energy developments but they must be on lands that are “better suited for this kind of industry.”
It referred to an alternative site listed in the draft EIR at the Westlands Water District between Fresno and King counties.
The effects on the endangered wildlife would be mitigated because the Westlands are considered a wasteland, the group contends.
The longest statement belonged to “Save Panoche Valley” – made up largely of Panoche Valley area residents. The three-page letter labeled the Solargen as an “oil and ethanol veterans, with a spotty success rate and no experience in the solar field.”
The statement accused Solargen of “betting on support from” Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and President Obama being enough “to override concerns about the project’s unmitigatible impacts to the local community farms.” It goes on to say the country’s dependence on foreign food is greater than its dependence on oil.
The group warned that the installation of the solar panels would create a “dust bowl” and eventually causing it to turn into a desert in the region.
The statement also recommended that the county should look at placing solar panels on already established rooftops instead of building a solar farm on rural land.
Solargen CEO Michael Peterson could not be reached for comment on this story. He has stated how Solargen already is working to mitigate environmental concerns.
