Should New Mexico remain 50th in the country for not embracing solar?
This is a rebuttal to the May 30 My Turn submitted by Arno Cordova, “Is imprisonment of sun rays in solar panel farms safe?” in
According to Greg Whitburn, Exploring Green Technology, “One feature of solar is that it spurs discussion and reassessment of the importance and interaction between economics, environment and investment. There is debate, polarization of perspectives and interests.”
Wow! Ain’t that the truth! Who would’ve thought that wanting to implement “solar” would’ve caused such a ruckus?
First and foremost, it is understandable that many residents in the El Rito/Latir area aren’t thrilled about the solar array project. It’s regrettable that the neighborhood associations weren’t initially informed of the project as proposed by Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, Guzman Energy and Young’s Land and Cattle LLC. To date, they have been informed (hindsight is 20/20) and concessions were made about the placement of the project.
In response to Cordova’s article: His claims are unfounded.
Cordova states, “The impact upon the natural ecology would be immeasurable and incompatible.” How does the local community know that the project will have “immeasurable” and “incompatible” consequences on the natural ecology? How are we to quantify and qualify his statement when solar arrays abound throughout European countries? What studies does Cordova reference to enlighten us? Is it incompatible because he doesn’t approve of the project? Believes it will be an “eye sore”? Incompatible because he is angry the project isn’t being built on his property? Incompatible and immeasurable because the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has deemed that wildlife and migration patterns will be disturbed? We hope to refute his “opinions” by stating the facts as sourced by medical institutes; not based on generalizations and personal opinions, but on factual and verified information.
Cordova states, “Small doses of radiation from TV, computers, microwave ovens, cellphones and all the many technological inventions in use every day will not injure or kill you immediately, but small doses in time will.” The National Cancer Institute contradicts his claim – “Common Cancer Myths and Misperceptions”
The NCI states, “Do cellphones cause cancer? No, not according to the best studies completed so far. Cancer is caused by genetic mutations, and cellphones emit a type of low-frequency energy that does not damage genes.” (See NCI fact sheet on cellphones and cancer risk.)
On a recent episode of
aired June 5, 2019, [specialists] separated the real risks from the fake news when it comes to cancer risks, including whether stress, cellphones and alcohol can increase your risks of the disease – in a topic called “Debunking Fake Cancer News.” The answer was “No” for each aforementioned topic as researched by the National Institutes of Health
Furthermore, Cordova discussed the dangers of radiation. According to the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, in a [Dec. 5, 2018 blog] called “Busting myths: If radiation causes cancer how can it be used to treat cancer”: “Radiation is everywhere. Ultraviolet light streams down from the sun. Radon may seep from the cracks in our basements. Nuclear energy keeps the lights on in millions of homes across the world. X-rays and MRIs may be used to help diagnose injury and disease. The human body is bombarded with low doses of ionizing and nonionizing radiation throughout the day, from sources of heat and light to waves from cellphones and microwaves. ‘Our body has the ability to recover from radiation damage,’ says Anderson Bauer, MD, DABR, radiation oncologist at our Phoenix hospital. ‘If it didn’t, we wouldn’t have made it as a species this far in time.’”
Lastly, Mr. Cordova discussed the devaluation of property but provides no documentation supporting his claim. Many have fallen prey to myths about solar and cancer – it is knowing the difference between the objective truth and subjective truth.
At some point in time, we will have to accept solar, regardless of whether it’s aesthetically pleasing to the eye or not. Lastly, it’s ironic that we haven’t heard complaints about the eight-foot-high fence that surrounds the Questa Municipal Airport.
Is it possible they haven’t noticed it?
Fellow community members, consider the following: Should progress be impeded by the status quo or because it obstructs someone’s view? Should New Mexico, ranked last in everything under the sun (no pun intended), remain 50th in the country for not embracing solar? Or, should we be proactive and display leadership during the implementation of our mandate to move toward renewable energy? It is our belief that in the long run, everyone will benefit from what Kit Carson Electric Co-op is trying to implement.