DWP is moving ahead with plans for Owens Valley solar plant

[TomCADem]

I understand the need to protect Manzanar, which I fully support, but I don't understand the need to preserve the views of the surrounding desert outside of the camp itself merely because you could see the plant from Manzanar. Plus, a solar plant in the distance is a lot better to look at then an offshore drilling platform or nuclear plant.

http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-manzanar-one-20131226,0,3568645.story#axzz2odciL0jg

MANZANAR, Calif. — Over the objections of critics, Los Angeles is moving ahead with plans to build a $680-million 200-megawatt solar energy plant within view of this desolate Eastern Sierra site that was a Japanese American internment camp during World War II.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's Southern Owens Valley Solar Project would erect 1 million photovoltaic panels on 1,200 acres it owns roughly 6 miles south of Independence and 3 1/2 miles east of the Manzanar National Historic Site on U.S. 395.

* * *
Critics of the plan say they have little leverage to stop it. "There is no agency that regulates vistas and views," said Bruce Embrey, co-chair of the Manzanar Committee, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the site. "We have moral authority, an appeal to the city's social conscience. We are urging the DWP to consider alternative sites for its solar farm, perhaps on structures in downtown Los Angeles."

The 2-square-mile facility would produce 440 gigawatt-hours of power annually, enough to service about 75,000 homes and allow the DWP to meet its state-required renewable energy goals. The southeastern portion of the Owens Valley provides among the highest solar resource values in the nation, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

[msongs]

1. they could put solar on all the roofs in their service area for a lot less but then they couldnt own

the sun to the detriment of real live residents of so cal

[hunter]

2. This blows chunks.

All the uncovered parking lots, flat roofs of big box stores, and other toxic sites in Southern California, and they chose to build it in Manzazar?

Gee, let's save the natural environment by destroying more of it...

[madokie]

3. Seems to me that all big box store parking lots should be covered with solar cells on them

our VA in Muskogee Ok covered their parking lots two years ago and put solar panels on them. If they can do it any of the walmarts should be able to do the same.
It would entice me to shop in a store if it had covered parking for two reasons, one the obvious and the other being it would or should be able to offer the same product at a possibly reduced price. Even if the prices weren't lower parking under a cover would be worth something.