Jennifer Runyon asks if environmentalists are doing the right thing by pushing regulations that make the cost of building renewable energy projects prohibitive.
Runyon points to the recent statement by renewable energy company First Solar explaining that they won't be able to proceed with building their planned solar farm in San Luis Obispo County, California. She looks back at the environmental regulations added to the project, which include an agreement to go "over and above" local, federal and state requirements to preserve the habitat of local native species:
"I can't help but wonder if these environmental regulations - the ones that are adding cost to develop the project - factored into First Solar's decision to back away from the project overall. The company said it is in advance talks to sell the project to potential buyers."
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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