Insurance rates are already soaring because of climate change. In the East Mountains, where a similar fight over a solar + storage farm is waging, people feel lucky to even get insurance at all. As temperatures rise, trees die, water becomes more scarce and wildfires are more likely. What does THAT do to your home values? It's unfortunate that rooftop solar alone will not meet the eye-popping urgency to replace fossil fuels, so utility scale solar and storage near electricity consumption centers are required. Living in sight of a quiet, almost zero-water use, non - GHG emitting solar farm is a small price to pay for a stable climate. I wish the opponents would work more on funding and fortifying East Mountain fire response resources so that the much more common fires that do start from dragging tow chains, cigarettes, power tools and gas use in all forms are contained fast. This is especially necessary as the federal Administration cuts back on fire fighting and fire prevention efforts.
After reading the My View written by a prominent environmentalist using the term("Solar array belongs in special Santa Fe," My View, May 11), it raised concerns about perspective. As someone unfamiliar with the Eldorado area's unique challenges, who lives in Vermont, his opinions may not accurately reflect local realities. Also, and I quote "“liberals spreading misinformation and working against the interests of their neighbors.” Really. Liberals? Is that what you are calling those who are in opposition of your point of view.
Meanwhile, community members who live here daily and have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about potential issues also are dismayed by a news article ("Activist heats up solar project debate," May 13).
The use of the term NIMBY - short for "not in my backyard" — is a classic example of dog-whistle politics, designed to delegitimize and mock those who dare to question the AES solar array project. It's a lazy attempt to dismiss the concerns of local residents, rather than engaging with their arguments and addressing their fears in a civil manner. Not only is it defaming those who are against this, but giving misinformation.
This article, and the tone on both articles written by McKibben in the Santa Fe New Mexican from someone of this stature and its implications are disheartening, particularly given the dedication and hard work of local advocates such as Clean Energy Coalition and New Mexicans for Responsible Renewables.
There is no hidden agenda here with anyone opposing this project. We all want the same thing — just not at this location because of all the risks, dangers and irreparable losses it will result in. Plain and simple. Rather than dismissing concerns, it's essential to listen to and consider the perspectives of those who call Eldorado home.
As a concerned neighbor, I understand the importance of addressing environmental challenges. We need a thoughtful and nuanced discussion that takes into account the complex issues surrounding this project.
And I quote in part from the one of McKibben's recent articles in the SF New Mexican "In Santa Fe, for example, opponents have tried to cast solar panels and batteries as a fire risk. And of course, this would be a valid concern if it were true." If you do your homework and research you will see for yourself this is an incorrect statement. We already knew what we signed up for when moving here. What we didn't sign up for was this AES project place between three communities of thousands of people who could be surrounded by a fire hazard. Many who don't live in this area, have a lot to say supporting this project, but for those of us who live here, it's a blatant risk. Someone who doesn’t even live here in Eldorado or the affected areas, and is from Vermont, basing his claims on his credentials and background - I'm surprised in his choice to reach conclusions based on what was "told to him" or what he may have read online, rather than reaching out for a discussion with any of us who are opposed. Instead, the same negative rhetoric was used in an attempt to gain support for this facility. It’s a shame that those who support this facility have chosen to take this "low road.”
Let's demand more from our leaders and our community advocates and work toward finding solutions that prioritize the well-being of our community, ones that don't put our region at risk or create a divide between neighbors. There is plenty of land in New Mexico to go around.
Placing this project between three communities with thousands of residents is just irresponsible. Especially with the recent unprecedented 60 mph wind gusts, and the fire challenges we face living here in Eldorado. You have to ask yourselves: When did it become acceptable to put profit over the lives of thousands of people?
Insurance rates are already soaring because of climate change. In the East Mountains, where a similar fight over a solar + storage farm is waging, people feel lucky to even get insurance at all. As temperatures rise, trees die, water becomes more scarce and wildfires are more likely. What does THAT do to your home values? It's unfortunate that rooftop solar alone will not meet the eye-popping urgency to replace fossil fuels, so utility scale solar and storage near electricity consumption centers are required. Living in sight of a quiet, almost zero-water use, non - GHG emitting solar farm is a small price to pay for a stable climate. I wish the opponents would work more on funding and fortifying East Mountain fire response resources so that the much more common fires that do start from dragging tow chains, cigarettes, power tools and gas use in all forms are contained fast. This is especially necessary as the federal Administration cuts back on fire fighting and fire prevention efforts.
Once again I repeat myself.
After reading the My View written by a prominent environmentalist using the term("Solar array belongs in special Santa Fe," My View, May 11), it raised concerns about perspective. As someone unfamiliar with the Eldorado area's unique challenges, who lives in Vermont, his opinions may not accurately reflect local realities. Also, and I quote "“liberals spreading misinformation and working against the interests of their neighbors.” Really. Liberals? Is that what you are calling those who are in opposition of your point of view.
Meanwhile, community members who live here daily and have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about potential issues also are dismayed by a news article ("Activist heats up solar project debate," May 13).
The use of the term NIMBY - short for "not in my backyard" — is a classic example of dog-whistle politics, designed to delegitimize and mock those who dare to question the AES solar array project. It's a lazy attempt to dismiss the concerns of local residents, rather than engaging with their arguments and addressing their fears in a civil manner. Not only is it defaming those who are against this, but giving misinformation.
This article, and the tone on both articles written by McKibben in the Santa Fe New Mexican from someone of this stature and its implications are disheartening, particularly given the dedication and hard work of local advocates such as Clean Energy Coalition and New Mexicans for Responsible Renewables.
There is no hidden agenda here with anyone opposing this project. We all want the same thing — just not at this location because of all the risks, dangers and irreparable losses it will result in. Plain and simple. Rather than dismissing concerns, it's essential to listen to and consider the perspectives of those who call Eldorado home.
As a concerned neighbor, I understand the importance of addressing environmental challenges. We need a thoughtful and nuanced discussion that takes into account the complex issues surrounding this project.
And I quote in part from the one of McKibben's recent articles in the SF New Mexican "In Santa Fe, for example, opponents have tried to cast solar panels and batteries as a fire risk. And of course, this would be a valid concern if it were true." If you do your homework and research you will see for yourself this is an incorrect statement. We already knew what we signed up for when moving here. What we didn't sign up for was this AES project place between three communities of thousands of people who could be surrounded by a fire hazard. Many who don't live in this area, have a lot to say supporting this project, but for those of us who live here, it's a blatant risk. Someone who doesn’t even live here in Eldorado or the affected areas, and is from Vermont, basing his claims on his credentials and background - I'm surprised in his choice to reach conclusions based on what was "told to him" or what he may have read online, rather than reaching out for a discussion with any of us who are opposed. Instead, the same negative rhetoric was used in an attempt to gain support for this facility. It’s a shame that those who support this facility have chosen to take this "low road.”
Let's demand more from our leaders and our community advocates and work toward finding solutions that prioritize the well-being of our community, ones that don't put our region at risk or create a divide between neighbors. There is plenty of land in New Mexico to go around.
Placing this project between three communities with thousands of residents is just irresponsible. Especially with the recent unprecedented 60 mph wind gusts, and the fire challenges we face living here in Eldorado. You have to ask yourselves: When did it become acceptable to put profit over the lives of thousands of people?
https://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_view/we-must-balance-energy-needs-with-safety/article_66736e23-f154-4533-b2fd-ca5ad7ecff96.html