The Ivanpah Valley solar development would produce up to 440 megawatts of electricity through solar thermal technology, where mirrors reflect sunlight on a liquid-filled tower to make steam. The project would offset 450,000 tons of carbon emissions per year, says developer BrightSource Energy, but not everyone is thrilled about its environmental benefits.
County Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt is trying to derail Ivanpah Valley because it is sited in desert tortoise territory in the Mojave Desert. Endangered plant species would be threatened, too.
BrightSource spokesman Keely Wachs suggests that the development "will generate 1,000 jobs, $250 million in wages and more that $400 million in local and state tax revenue." But Mitzelfelt counters that most of those jobs would go to the Las Vegas area and most of the electricity would be sent to San Francisco.
"There are better places to put solar energy," says Eldon Hughes of the San Gorgonio chapter of the Sierra Club.
