Solar project won’t benefit local region
Iam against the proposed AES Rancho Viejo Solar Project in Santa Fe County. Should a fire break out on the lands due to combustion of the solar storage, those of us who live on the west side of Eldorado haven’t got a chance. Eldorado has three main exits, and all of them are on the east side, five to six miles from our homes.
If you think you live a safe enough distance away to not be affected by this facility, think twice. In the event of a fire, the air you breathe will be contaminated for some time. Solar storage units are not developed in the same manner as solar panels on a house roof, which we have at our home.
Generally, these systems are not set up to feed the local neighborhoods, but rather to sell the energy nationally and internationally; in other words, to benefit enormous companies that already make grand profits. We all will be subject to millions of gallons of water drained from our aquifers both in the building of this facility and in its maintenance.
Hazardous materials are used in the construction of these sites. Without a doubt, we will be exposed to noise pollution in the building and in the ongoing battery charging, which could also cause vibrations in the surrounding terrain. Solar radiation and heat impact birds and other animals in migration, as well as destroy the homes and limit the territory of wildlife who live in this area.
A recent article in Science of the Total Environment concludes, “The life cycle analysis revealed that the PV systems cannot be considered as zero-emission technology due to the probable environmental effects imposed by land use, air quality, water use, the inclusion of hazardous materials, and possible noise/ visual pollution.”
Of course, if you look at the “facts” from solar farm companies, they will claim otherwise. The AES solar project is not a benefit to us. Write to our planning commissioners and county commissioners. Access and use the website for New Mexicans for Responsible Renewable Energy, NMResponsible.com.