Potential Threats to the SR18 Scenic Corridoor
Photo illustration depicting area where proposed solar farm panels would be installed along the Pine Valley Mountain foothills. Note: This photo only represents a small portion of the proposed area.
Help Stop Utility Scale Solar and Wind Installations on the Pine Valley Mountains New Articles Added*
Local Overview
MORE INFORMATION CloseHere is background info on a 7000-acre solar farm proposed in 2022. It was to be built in the Pine Valley Mountain foothills on BLM lands above Utah Highway 18.
In response, a new Facebook group was started to keep the region informed on the many harms such a farm could create.
The company later withdrew their plan but a new one can now replace them.
How do you increase the chances of stopping a new solar farm proposal? Use the info here to make a solid case in your favor.
Good overview of proposed BrightNight Industrial Solar Farm from the St. George News. A non-published report indicates that the proposal was subsequently dropped by BrightNight corporation, but not by the BLM, suggesting that another corporation could submit their proposal at any time. (2022)
From public Facebook site: Red Bluff Industrial Farm Variance application withdrawn according to the St. George Regional BLM Field Office. (2023)
Local public Facebook group site on this subject: UT18: Keep Your Public Lands Scenic, Wild & Free (2023)
*Hidden Impact of Massive Solar Farms
MORE INFORMATION CloseSolar farm development is coming at a significant price to wildlife, nearby residents’ health, groundwater depletion and even property values yet federal age yet federal judges have repeatedly upheld the government’s right to utilize the land. (2023)
*Environmental Effects of Solar Farms
MORE INFORMATION CloseBesides the significant challenges of recycling solar panels at end-of-life, solar developments increase water demand which can seriously strain the available groundwater resources to surrounding communities. (2018)
Article Source:
*(BLM) Utility-Scale Solar Energy Programmatic
MORE INFORMATION CloseBureau of Land Management (BLM) Utility-Scale Solar Energy Programmatic EIS – Preliminary Alternatives Matrix (current)
Original .PDF file source:
https://blmsolar.anl.gov/documents/docs/final_draft_solar_peis_preliminary_alternatives_matrix.pdf
*Solar Panels: The Unspoken Environmental Cost
MORE INFORMATION CloseThe billions of solar panels around the world with a limited lifespan will create enormous environmental challenges upon disposal – an eco-disaster waiting to happen? (2023)
Original Article:
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2023/06/04/solar-panels-the-unspoken-environmental-cost/
*Solar Panels Are Three Times More Carbon-Intensive Than IPCC Claims
MORE INFORMATION CloseSolar panels are three times more carbon-intensive than experts will admit. If solar is anything to go by, the great transition seems less based on data, than a mixture of blind faith and vested interests. (2023)
Original Article:
https://environmentalprogress.org/big-news/2023/7/3/solar-panels-are-more-carbon-intensive-than-experts-will-admit
*Nebraska Solar Farm Crippled by Hail
MORE INFORMATION CloseDespite the solar development building top-tier quality solar panels designed to withstand hail, a Nebraska solar farm was destroyed by a hailstorm causing $1 million in damage and electrical outage. (2023)
Original Article:
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/nebraska-solar-farm-crippled-hail-underscoring-power-sources-fragility
*Solar Farm Fire in Upstate New York Sends Possible Toxic Smoke
MORE INFORMATION CloseSolar farm battery fire in Upstate New York sends toxic smoke billowing into surrounding community. (2023)
Original Article:
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/solar-farm-battery-fire-upstate-new-york-possible-toxic-smoke-shelter-in-place-lyme-jefferson-county/
Potential Harm to Scenery and Tourism
MORE INFORMATION CloseEach year tens of thousands of tourists and local people enjoy the scenery along Utah Highway 18. Tourism along that route brings in millions of dollars each year to the county.
Why destroy the stunning scenery we all love? And forgo the tax dollars it brings in by putting a huge, ugly solar farm in plain sight?
The route of the world-renown St. George Marathon route is along scenic SR18. There are eleven major sponsors of this event which brings in many millions of tourist dollars to the local economy. (current)
https://www.stgeorgemarathon.com/
“Run through breath-taking canyons and valleys in the heart of southwestern Utah’s great outdoors.” (2019)
https://howtorunguide.com/most-scenic-marathons/
Runner’s World magazine lists the St. George Marathon as one of the 10 Most Scenic Marathons, Fastest Marathons and the Top 20 Marathons in the USA as well as the Most Organized Marathon (the race is known for tremendous volunteer support). The magazine calls it one of four “marathons to build a vacation around”. (current)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._George_Marathon
“Though not as well-known as some of the surrounding scenic drives, Utah State Highway 18 passes through the western portion of Dixie Forest, with old growth trees, stream-cut canyons and the towering Pine Valley Mountains, followed by Snow Canyon in its incredible combination of sandstone and lava beds.” See photos. (current)
https://www.allzion.com/scenic_drives/state_highway_18.php#content
“Paralleling State Highway 18 outside of the city of St. George in southwest Utah, this trail provides a great recreational opportunity. Spectacular views can be had from numerous points along the trail.” (current)
https://www.traillink.com/trail/highway-18-path/
“The Maze in an off-the-radar hiking spot that is scenic, intriguing, entertaining, and easy to get to.” See photos. (2022)
https://suindependent.com/hiking-southern-utah-the-maze/
Utah State Scenic Byway Program (Current)
https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title72/Chapter4/C72-4-P3_1800010118000101.pdf
Scenic Byway Segmentation Request (Current)
https://travel.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/REQUEST-FOR-AGENCY-ACTION-Scenic-
Byway-Segmentation-SE-EDITS.pdf
As you drive through Utah, you’ll inevitably encounter many of the state’s scenic byways.
In total, Utah’s distinct topography provides the surface for 27 scenic byways, which add
up to hundreds of miles of vivid travel experiences wherein the road trip is as memorable as the destination. (Current)
https://www.visitutah.com/getmedia/abfa933f-2e57-47e1-a117-76d0fc72936f/uot17_sbguide.pdf
The Utah Scenic Byway Program has served as a support system to local scenic byway communities in their planning endeavors, grant acquisitions, and efforts to preserve
and promote the unique roads throughout Utah that link travelers with tourism destinations, outstanding recreational opportunities, and public lands. Utah’s eight nationally
designated scenic byways and eighteen state scenic byways provide a great travel experience
to our state’s world-renowned destinations—some of the most significant and remarkable landscapes in the world. (Current)
https://travel.utah.gov/scenic-byways/scenic-byways
As you drive through Utah, you’ll inevitably encounter many of
the state’s scenic byways. In total, Utah’s distinct topography provides
the surface for 27 scenic byways, which add up to hundreds of miles of
vivid travel experiences wherein the road trip is as memorable as the
destination. (Current)
https://travel.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/UOT-17_ScenicByways_Guide_digital.pdf
The Utah Office of Tourism and its partner agencies and organizations
(Utah Department of Transportation, Utah State Parks and other state
agencies, Bureau of Land Management, United States Forest Service,
National Park Service, local governments, local convention and visitor
bureaus, and civic organizations) remain committed to using the Scenic
Byway program to provide the basic travel infrastructure for Utah’s
burgeoning outdoor heritage- and nature-based tourism industry. (Current)
https://travel.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/utsb_finaledraft112215_piii-2.pdf
Environmental Impacts
(See also “Courts, Citizens, and Elected Officials Debate Concerns”)
MORE INFORMATION CloseThere are many ways solar farms can harm the environment. The land must be cleared and graded so there are fewer plants which wildlife depends upon to survive. The air is heated over solar farms which can also possibly harm plant growth. Fewer plants and animals means less diversity and a more fragile desert environment.
Then broken panels can leak harmful chemicals into the soil and ground water.
How can this be good for the environment? How much are we willing to destroy to pursue this so-called “green energy”?
VIDEO: Do Activists Focus on the Right Issues? Wrecking Biodiversity. (2022)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx2q_eJZxx8
Re-Evaluating Solar Photovoltaic Power Considering the Ecological Impacts We Aid to Reduce. (2020)
https://www.ourweb.tech/letter-16/
Environmental effects of solar farms. (2018)
https://www.ledwatcher.com/environmental-effects-solar-farms/
Older article on the many environmental impacts of utility-scale solar energy installations. (2012)
https://solareis.anl.gov/guide/environment/index.cfm
Solar on Desert Environments. (2016)
https://sinovoltaics.com/technology/solar-panels-deserts-part-1-chances-risks-testing/
Researchers Discover Solar Heat Island Effect Caused by Large-Scale Solar Power Plants. (2016)
https://phys.org/news/2016-11-solar-island-effect-large-scale-power.html
Larger Solar Power Plants Increase Local Temperatures. (2016)
Extreme Water Consumption
(See also “Courts, Citizens, and Elected Officials Debate Concerns” on erosion/flooding impacts and “Health Effects” and “Solar Panel Disposal” for groundwater contamination concerns)
MORE INFORMATION CloseSolar panels do not work well if dust collects on them. So solar farms must use millions of gallons of surface or ground water during the year to wash the dust off.
It also can take millions of gallons of water to keep the dust down when they grade the land before building.
Yet the state of Utah promotes the building of more solar farms despite saying it’s very important to conserve or preserve water resources.
Does that make sense? Follow the money!!!
Dirty Detail: Solar Panels Need Water. (2009)
https://lasvegassun.com/news/2009/sep/18/dirty-detail-solar-panels-need-water/
Dew + Dust = Cementation, which is difficult to remove from panels without considerable water throughout the year. (2021)
https://energypost.eu/solar-soiling-energy-loss-from-dust-on-panels-can-range-from-7-to-50/
A solar farm developer fined $200,000 by county for failing to control dust during construction of a 1000- acre solar farm despite using over 20 million gallons of water in just two months. (2021)
Cleaning solar panels currently is estimated to use about 10 billion gallons of water per year. Attempts at waterless cleaning are labor intensive and tend to cause irreversible scratching of the surfaces, reducing efficiency. A waterless method is required. (2022)
Health Impacts
(See also “Courts, Citizens, and Elected Officials Debate Concerns”)
MORE INFORMATION CloseSolar panels use a coating to prevent dust from building up. That coating has “PFAs” which can cause several cancers, thyroid or colon diseases. Extremely tiny amounts can cause these health issues.
Do brushing panels to remove dust also spread PFAs onto the ground? Were the panels damaged when installed (or before)?
Hail or wind storms can damage panels and result in PFAs dropping onto the soil and into the ground water. Does it make sense to place panels in an area with a history of violent hail and wind storms? And why place a solar farm near community water wells?
What Are the Health Risks When Living Near Solar Farm Places in 2022? (2022)
https://www.emf-risks.com/health-risks-living-near-solar-farm/
Table I, Page 16-19: Health Impacts from Materials Used in Production of Solar PVs (Source: Mulvaney 2009 and Oregon Govt. 2013.
https://australiainstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/WEB-Solar-energy-in-Australia_1.pdf
EPA Confirms GenX-related Compounds Used in Solar Panels. (2018)
The EPA is concerned over industrial sources of dangerous PFAS compounds getting into drinking water. (2022)
Pennsylvania state senator op-ed on water contamination concerns from proposed 1000-acre solar farm. (2020)
Fire/Explosion Hazards
MORE INFORMATION CloseFires and explosions at solar farms are rising sharply per a global insurer.
If it involves lithium, it can take days to suppress and pose a great danger to fire fighters. It requires at least 100,000 gallons of water to suppress them which may not be handy nearby.
Birds are a frequent cause of fires at solar farms when they dive into the panels. Millions of birds migrate each year from thousands of miles away through this region.
Even the New York Times has pointed to Dammeron Valley as one of the worst in the U.S. for wildland fire risk. Does it make sense to put a high fire risk solar farm in a high wildland fire risk desert region?
The Dammeron Valley Fire Special Service District issues this statement of opposition to the Red Butte Solar Project currently under consideration by the Bureau of Land Management. The public land the developer is asking to utilize for this project is located East of Dammeron Valley in an area designated as a Solar Exclusion zone (deemed inappropriate for solar development). (2022)
Scientific American article on the safety hazards involved in the manufacturing and installation of battery systems as well as the training of firefighters/ambulance crews in rural areas. (2015)
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/battery-fires-pose-new-risks-to-firefighters/
Based on a New York Times article, article focused on Dammeron Valley as a national example of a community facing extreme wildland fire danger. (2022)
Four Firefighters Injured in Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage System Explosion in Arizona. (2020)
https://fsri.org/research-update/report-four-firefighters-injured-lithium-ion-battery-energy-storage-system
From Corporate Risk & Management: Fire A Major Hidden Danger for Solar Farms. (2022)
A bird caused over 1100 acres of a California solar farm to be scorched causing $8-9 million loss. (2019)
https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-bird-fire-solar-farm-20190624-story.html
Utility scale lithium-ion batteries pose a serious fire risk for cities which requires better trained first responders. (2018)
Firetrace International, a leading provider of fire suppression technology, indicates that solar farm fires are seeing a sharp rise. (2022)
https://www.reinsurancene.ws/sharp-rise-being-seen-in-solar-farm-fires-firetrace-international/
Older San Francisco policies demonstrating very significant firefighter concerns with just home solar systems. (2012)
https://fileservice.eea.comacloud.net/FileService.Api/file/FileRoom/12254320
Watch this informative video talking about fire dangers along the SR18 corridor.
Video courtesy of Ned Cordery of Dammeron Valley.
Potential Harm to Wildlife
(See also “Solar Island Effect” under Environment on harming vegetation necessary to sustain wildlife as well as Fire/Explosion Hazards due to birds diving into panels & conductors)
MORE INFORMATION CloseSolar farms use 8-foot-high fencing all around their sites. That keeps larger wildlife, like mule deer, from their normal feeding grounds which can lead to them starving during winter.
Birds can explode and cause wildfires if they dive into solar panels. Millions of them fly over the region as they migrate during the year.
Some local species are listed as threatened so they may go extinct here if their nests or feeding grounds are disturbed.
Wildlife will only get harmed from a solar farm. How can we be the voice of wildlife here?
Exploding Birds On Solar Farms Not a Myth After All. (2021)
https://www.wnd.com/2021/08/exploding-birds-solar-farms-not-myth/
America’s Solar Farms Have a Bird Problem. (2020)
https://www.wired.com/story/why-do-solar-farms-kill-birds-call-in-the-ai-bird-watcher/
“Utah to Implement Emergency Feeding Plan Due to Deep Snow and Poor Deer Health” in Northern Utah does not mention solar/wind utility facility barriers to mule deer during winter migration. However, standard 8 ft perimeter fencing of such facilities would preclude winter grazing in this region leading to mass starvation of the second largest mule deer migratory corridor in the state. [2023]
https://www.fieldandstream.com/conservation/utah-implements-emergency-deer-feeding/
Interactive map which shows seven sightings of the Mexican Spotted Owl from Brookside to Diamond Valley (four more if include Central). Not known are nest locations or usual hunting distance. [current]
https://www.fws.gov/species/mexican-spotted-owl-strix-occidentalis-lucida
Audubon bird migration search engine. If using the Dammeron Valley, UT location, it shows hundreds of bird species passing through this area from Canada to the tip of South America. Birds incinerate themselves at solar farms when they dive into panels/conductors which can result in wildland fires. [Current]
https://explorer.audubon.org/home?zoom=2&x=0&y=0
Utah BLM Sensitive, Endangered, Threatened Wildlife/Animal Species List by county; the kit fox and pygmy rabbit may be found in 5000-5200 ft elevation whereas many of the other mammalian species listed are more likely found at lower elevations. At this time, it’s also unknown if the listed bats, birds, reptiles or insects can be found at that elevation. (2018)
https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/Utah%20BLM%20Sensitive%20Wildlife%20Species%20List.pdf
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists ten mammalian, bird and insect species in Washington County that are a focus for the agency, including the Mexican Spotted Owl which has been spotted in the Dammeron Valley area. (current)
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources searchable Field Guide to all species found in this state. Home page under “Discover” lists the Utah Natural Heritage Program, Utah Wildlife Action Plan, Utah Endangered Species Mitigation Fund and their educational centers. (current)
https://fieldguide.wildlife.utah.gov/
Master’s Thesis: “Distribution and Habitat Characteristics of the Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis) in Utah”. Page 17 describes areas where kit foxes have been sighted in Washington County near the Santa Clara River. (1977)
Solar Panel Disposal
(See also “Courts, Citizens, and Elected Officials Debate Concerns”)
MORE INFORMATION CloseSolar panels only last at most 25 years. Both solar panels and lithium batteries contain very harmful chemicals. There is no good way to recycle them so they go into the landfills as hazardous waste.
Hundreds of thousands of tons of this waste will be very costly to be disposed of in the coming years.
Will local landfills be able to even accept all this deadly waste? Who or what is going to pay for their disposal?
Solar Panels Creating 50 Times More Waste Than Predicted, And Much Is Toxic. Our Race to ‘Net Zero’ Is Madness. (2022)
https://www.rt.com/op-ed/527472-solar-panels-create-more-waste/
Solar Panels Ready for Retirement –What Now? (2021)
https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/08/19/1032215/solar-panels-recycling/
As Interest In Clean Energy Surges, Used Solar Panels Are Going Straight Into Landfill. (2021)
https://hbr.org/2021/06/the-dark-side-of-solar-power
Massive Amounts of Waste and Hazard. (2021)
https://www.libertyandecology.org/renewables-oh-the-waste/
What About Renewable Energy Disposal? (2021)
Is the Waste Worse Than We’re Being Told? (2021)
https://michaelshellenberger.substack.com/p/why-everything-they-said-about-solar
LA Times Report Warns About Solar Waste Disposal. (2022)
https://www.foxnews.com/media/la-times-op-ed-warns-about-environmental-danger-solar-transition
Solar Panels Are Starting to Die. What Will We Do with The Megatons of Toxic Trash? (2020)
https://grist.org/energy/solar-panels-are-starting-to-die-what-will-we-do-with-the-megatons-of-toxic-trash/
Megatons of Toxic Waste from Solar Panels: Ticking Time Bomb. (2022)
https://www.americaoutloud.com/megatons-of-toxic-waste-from-solar-panels-a-ticking-time-bomb/
Dangerous cadmium pollution upon disposal of solar panels. (2019)
https://www.americanexperiment.org/the-environmental-disaster-of-solar-energy/
“Solar Panel Waste, the Dark Side of Clean Energy” discusses lead and cadmium pollution from solar panels. (2020)
https://www.discovermagazine.com/environment/solar-panel-waste-the-dark-side-of-clean-energy
Solar Panels Creating 50 Times More Waste Than Predicted, And Much Is Toxic. (2022)
https://www.rt.com/op-ed/527472-solar-panels-create-more-waste/
Is It Always Positive? Political/Media Propaganda on Solar Farms
MORE INFORMATION CloseAlmost all mainstream media implies “green energy” is always good. Yet it’s rare to hear anything bad.
Do they report the truth or just repeat, repeat, repeat the same lie?
BLM opens solar farm bidding on flat, remote 4800 acres in Beaver County; demonstrates political and media promotion without discussion of any concerns. (2021)
St. George News article touting small, community-scale solar farm on Shivwits tribal land that fails to distinguish it from local proposed utility-scale solar farm. (2022)
Small solar farm on private land with help from Google, but no mention of any concerns. (2015)
https://www.power-technology.com/projects/utah-red-hills-renewable-park-utah/
Bureau of Land Management Solar Projects and Policies
MORE INFORMATION CloseIn order to oppose a solar farm here, you need to know what the BLM is required to study if a proposal is brought forward. It’s also helpful to know how other regions have dealt with it.
Are any of your concerns discussed in these documents? How can you use this info in stopping a solar farm here?
BLM’s 2016 Solar Energy Zones Public Workshop on three projects with multiple links to historical impacts (Old Spanish Trail), mitigation matrices and discussion topics. (2016)
https://blmsolar.anl.gov/solar-peis/sez/ut/regional-mitigation/workshop-documents/
BLM plans for the 31,265 acre Amargosa Valley, NV solar farm near Death Valley with mitigation plans (resident concerns over groundwater draw down). (2012)
https://blmsolar.anl.gov/solar-peis/sez/nv/amargosa-valley/
“Affected Environment and Impact Assessment for 2 Proposed Solar Energy Zones in Nevada”, useful for predicting BLM mitigations. Concerns over environmental impact is a concern. (2010)
https://solareis.anl.gov/Documents/dpeis/Solar_DPEIS_AmargosaValley.pdf
The project had been submitted to the St. George office of the Bureau of Land Management for consideration, and if approved would have been located on up to 7,000 acres of public land in a scenic area close to St. George along SR-Highway in the slopes of the Pine Mountains foothills, readily visible.
Courts, Citizens, and Elected Officials Debate Concerns
MORE INFORMATION CloseCitizens have gone to their local officials and to court to stop solar farms being built nearby. The trend is growing all over the country.
The list below contains lots of lessons as to what works, and what does not, to block a proposed solar farm.
Political pressure for “green energy” is intense. Don’t let the government destroy the home you love. Refuse to let them ignore the local harm a solar farm can do to a community.
So, what are YOU willing to do to stop this solar madness?
VIDEO: Normal Citizens Comment Negatively About Renewable Energy. (2021)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjDwgotedSM&t=60s
Private citizen sends detailed letter to Davis City Council on objections to proposed BrightNight Corp. land lease option. (2020)
Solar Farm Rejections soared in 2022. (2022)
Judge Upholds Denial in Mt. Joy Solar Case. (2022)
https://www.gettysburgtimes.com/news/local/article_4271aa91-1182-51d3-a3ac-ecfa17a1a528.html
Ohio County Commissioners Can Now Stop New Wind and Solar Development Projects. (2021)
Commissions rebuff request for 574-acre solar farm after hearing concerns about property values. (2021)
Could The State of Pennsylvania File an Injunction to Stop the State of New York From Allowing a 490,000 Panel Solar Project and Two Giant Energy Storage Units on its Border? (2022)
North Carolina Planning Commission Denied Solar Project. (2023)
Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law issued a lengthy report documenting widespread instances of local opposition to renewables throughout the country. (2021)
https://climate.law.columbia.edu/content/opposition-renewable-energy-facilities-united-states
An alternative energy advocacy site is condescending to local Moapa Valley, NV residents who successfully opposed what would have been the largest U.S. solar farm in the country. (2021)
Physicist urges state legislators to protect citizens and environment from toxic solar farm threats and not just mandate solar farm development. (2021)
https://election-integrity.info/Energy/Solar_Energy_Concerns.pdf
Massachusetts Attorney General sued solar development company on their failure to stop severe erosion and stormwater runoff on a 18.5 acre site which resulted in a $1.1 million fine to the company. (2020)
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality abruptly rolled out several major changes to how Virginia will manage stormwater runoff from solar farms, saying prior policies may have underestimated water quality impacts. (2022)
In a stunning setback for solar, the City of Pontiac, Illinois has scuttled plans to construct a solar energy project that would transform a vacant lot in town into a shiny solar desert. (2023)
https://www.cfact.org/2023/03/11/illinois-town-nixes-solar-desert/
Advocate Tools
MORE INFORMATION CloseCheck out these handy tools to help you be more effective in making your points to your neighbors, coworkers, church members, and officials.
Supporting documents being compiled. Please check back soon for updates to this section. Thank you so much for visiting!
*Biden Administration Misleads the Public on the Vast Expanses of Land Needed for 'Net Zero'
MORE INFORMATION CloseA new report shows the Biden Administration is very seriously misleading the public on the vast expanses of land needed to meet his 2035 Net Zero goals. (2023)
Original Article:
https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/articles/2023/09/12/the_biden_administration_vastly_misleads_the_public_on_the_vast_expanses_of_land_needed_for_net_zero_977662.html