TAKE ACTION: Georgetown Solar Farm Spells Disaster for "Lungs of DC"

[elleng]

'UPDATE: TAKE ACTION! Sign a petition started by members of the Piscataway Tribe opposing the solar development.

Georgetown University has signed a contract with Origis Energy to build a solar energy project on 240 acres of pristine forest habitat in Charles County, Maryland. This land represents Maryland’s “green thumb,” and the “lungs of DC.” We all breathe much easier because this forest exists.

As many of our partners: Smart Growth Maryland, Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Audubon Maryland-DC, and the Accokeek Foundation have stated, this project has the potential to set a precedent for development of other solar projects throughout the greater Washington, DC metro region. The proposed solar farm will irreparably endanger the water quality, wildlife, and environmental integrity of the Nanjemoy Forest and of the region. In the face of climate change, preserving our forests and waterways is of prime importance in order to sequester as much carbon as possible and to maintain ecosystems in their natural state. The DC region should not have to choose between renewable energy and preserving our natural landscapes! '>>>

http://conservationblog.anshome.org/blog/georgetown-solar-farm-spells-disaster-for-lungs-of-dc/?

[CentralMass]

1. NIMBY

[elleng]

2. Right.

The proposed solar farm will irreparably endanger the water quality, wildlife, and environmental integrity of the Nanjemoy Forest and of the region.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

3. Is there no other possible location for a solar project?

Why not just put solar panels on top of various buildings?

Speaking of which, I'm getting solar panels on my roof soon. Hooray!

[elleng]

5. Panels are going up on many buildings.

Have to study this, to ascertain why this spot chosen.

[CentralMass]

4. There is a lot of renewable energy activity going on in my forner longtime home state of Massachuset

Including a small solar site just up the road from my former house of 30 years. There was another larget solar installation on the property of a large apple orchard in a neighboring town.
I consider these installations a net postive. They help reduce the burning of fossil fuels and reduce emissions of pollutents and particulate matter that harm plant and animal life. When i was in high school back in the mid to late 70's I had this large book called the Solar Bible that was one of the definitive books on solar energy. As the decades went by I had given up hope that implemention of any of the ideas in the book would ever become main stream. Four decades later I am happy to see progress.

If not now, when are we going to put on a strong push for renewables?