To the editor: Sammy Roth's column on the need for a grand deal on solar power in California paints a bleak picture of infighting and delays in the effort to develop renewable energy. But glimmers of hope can be seen, especially when it comes to balancing our need for large-scale solar and distributed energy, such as rooftop solar.
Take, for example, the Northern Chumash Tribal Council's recent agreement with offshore wind developers. They agreed to a phased approach to designating the boundaries of a marine sanctuary off the coast of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, while allowing for the laying of cable transmission lines needed for offshore wind development. Good faith negotiations have ensured that both the marine sanctuary and offshore wind coexist.
Similarly, there has been significant cooperation between the renewable energy industry and proponents of the Chuckwalla National Monument proposal. After discussions, the two sides agreed on a path forward that opens the door to both new federal protections of pristine desert lands and opportunities for responsible utility-scale solar development and transmission.
While the politics may be complicated and the path forward uncertain, there are indeed precedents for a “grand deal.” These compromises show that disagreements are not insurmountable and should not define the future of clean energy development in California.
Sander Kushen, San Gabriel
The writer is press secretary for the Sierra Club in California.
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To the editor: Roth makes an argument about rooftop solar that doesn't really exist.
Very few proponents of rooftop solar have problems with large-scale renewables; many believe in an “all of the above” approach. Our only position is that the growth of rooftop solar should be encouraged, along with other renewable energy sources.
There has never been a concerted effort by rooftop solar advocates to limit large-scale renewables. Instead, utilities and their union supporters pursue policies that have the direct result of nullifying rooftop solar.
So what's the big deal? Just stop attacking rooftop solar and we'll go on our merry way.
Susan Dembowski, Pasadena
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To the editor: Many environmentalists oppose the killing of birds and bats by wind turbines, as well as solar power plants with deadly “light cones” formed by circular mirrors that can incinerate birds in flight.
Meanwhile, Scotland has openly abandoned its “net zero” climate plan and political leaders elsewhere in Britain are softening their calls to ditch fossil fuels.
If we truly hope to combat global warming, we must embrace the deployment of modular nuclear reactors. These small, typically underground units enjoy greatly improved safety and emit virtually no greenhouse gases.
Wind and solar cannot responsibly meet the scale of our energy demands. Our choice is to minimize global warming by adopting safe nuclear energy, or join Britain's political leaders in abandoning the fight.
J. Felipe Barnes, San Pedro
