D-M commander gives solar farm green light

[unhappycamper]

D-M commander gives solar farm green light
By B. Poole - Gannett News Service
Posted : Wednesday Nov 26, 2008 6:31:02 EST

Plans to power Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in sunny Arizona with solar power got a significant boost with the decision that the solar energy project did not require a lengthy environmental impact study.

"After careful review of the potential impacts, I conclude implementation of the proposed action would not result in significant impacts to the quality of the human or natural environment," base commander Col. Paul T. Johnson wrote in the assessment.

Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., already has similar solar farm.

Neither the cost of the three-year construction project nor the contractor has been settled. However, an earlier environmental assessment estimated the cost at $5 million to $6 million per megawatt of electric production.

The cost of the Davis-Monthan system would be borne by the contractor hired to build it, said Margaret Bowman, pollution prevention manager at the base. In turn, the Air Force would pay the contractor for the power.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/11/airforce_solar_power_112508w/%2e