A compromise between conservationists and the solar industry helped establish Chuckwalla National Monument in California, but the monument's future hangs in the balance under President Trump's administration.
Russell Scofield vividly recalls the surge in applications for solar farm construction on public lands that began in the mid-2000s. While working for the Bureau of Land Management in Palm Springs, he witnessed firsthand the rapid influx of proposals following President George W. Bush's signing of legislation offering a 30% investment tax credit for large-scale solar projects. The land rush was intense, often overlooking the protection of endangered species and sacred Indigenous sites.
Scofield described the situation as 'everyone completely freaked out' as applications 'just started pouring in.' This recollection serves as a backdrop to our hike through a narrow slot canyon in the Mecca Hills, an hour's drive southeast of Palm Springs. This secluded trail, surrounded by vibrantly colored rock walls formed by the San Andreas fault over millions of years, is one of my favorite hikes. Creaky metal ladders, leaning against the rock, provide access to the canyons, offering breathtaking views of Mt. San Jacinto, Mt. San Gorgonio, and the Salton Sea. Solar farms are prohibited in this area. The Mecca Hills have long been designated as a federally protected wilderness area and are now part of a national monument. President Biden established Chuckwalla National Monument just days before leaving office, responding to the urging of Native American tribes and conservationists who sought to prevent development on ecologically sensitive and culturally significant lands.However, the monument's existence hinges on a compromise with the solar industry. Chuckwalla spans nearly 1,000 square miles, extending east to the Colorado River and north past the 10 Freeway. Its northeastern edge borders one of the nation's busiest solar development zones along the 10 near the Arizona state line. As activists campaigned for the monument, they faced concerns from government officials about potential impacts on new solar projects. Conflicts between conservation and climate-friendly energy have become increasingly apparent across the Western U.S., threatening to prolong the country's dependence on harmful fossil fuels. Yet, in this instance, both sides found common ground. Activists engaged in discussions with solar industry representatives, ultimately negotiating a compromise. They reduced the proposed monument's size by approximately 40,000 acres, providing the solar development zone with more space.The adjustments also allowed Southern California Edison to expand its power line infrastructure alongside Interstate 10, potentially facilitating the transmission of renewable energy from solar farms towards coastal cities. This collaborative effort culminated in public support for the monument proposal from solar developers Clearway Energy and EDF Renewables, alongside several solar industry trade groups and Edison itself. 'It wasn't contentious,' said Garry George, senior director of climate strategy at the National Audubon Society. 'We wanted to set a precedent for clean energy and conservation working together.' Biden alluded to this agreement, which he largely implemented, before signing the monument designation. 'Next door to this monument, solar energy is being built, which proves what I've often said — we don't have to choose between the environment and the economy, or between conservation and clean energy. We can do both at the same time,' Biden stated. 'This monument offers a perfect road map for how to strike that balance.' The current challenge lies in President Trump's apparent determination to undermine both clean energy and conservation. The erosion of conservation efforts is not unexpected, considering that during Trump's first term, his appointees actively sought to reverse clean air, clean water, and endangered species protections. New Interior Secretary Doug Burgum is already following a similar playbook, issuing directives to accelerate oil and gas leasing, weaken migratory bird protections, and potentially adjust national monument boundaries to facilitate increased fossil fuel production. Could Chuckwalla be vulnerable to such alterations?The Supreme Court has yet to rule on the president's authority to eliminate national monuments. However, during his first term, Trump attempted and failed to do so. He may attempt to do so again. 'I hope for the best, but I prepare for the worst,' California Sen. Alex Padilla said in an interview. While the initial Trump administration surprisingly approved numerous renewable energy projects on public lands, even as it favored planet-warming fossil fuels, this time, his appointees have halted all permitting for solar and wind farms. The president's 'energy emergency' order, aimed at boosting energy production, potentially at the expense of environmental regulations, excludes solar and wind from a list of various energy types. In a news release, Burgum stated that the Interior Department is 'committed to working collaboratively to unlock America's full potential in energy dominance and economic development to make life more affordable for every American family.
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