Nation has need for old and new energy sources

Normally, energy projects take an extended amount of time to jump through all the regulatory hurdles necessary to receive approvals, so it was a bit of a surprise to see a proposed solar energy project in Yuma County move quickly to its final governmental approval this week.

The Yuma County Board of Supervisors approved a special use permit for the Agua Caliente Solar Project a couple of weeks ago and the Arizona Corporation Commission gave it a final thumbs up Tuesday, granting a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility.

The public first became aware of the solar power plant in January and since then planning has continued to build it on more than 2,300 acres of land north of Dateland on former farming land located on the White Wing Ranch.

It will be a massive project requiring a couple of years to build by as many as a 1,000 workers, once started in 2010. About 50 permanent workers will run the plant that converts energy from sunlight - enough to power 70,000 to a 100,000 homes for a year.

Contrast the "smooth gliding" of this solar project with other types of energy related projects, like conventional power plants or, heaven forbid, a nuclear power plant - one of the cleanest and most efficient ways to produce energy. The roadblocks to these "old" energy projects can be massive and delay projects for many years - or even kill them.

The many problems faced by another project in eastern Yuma County, the proposed oil refinery, is another example of the prejudice old energy often faces. That project was proposed years ago and seems no closer to reality due to environmental delays, siting complaints and general NIMBY (not in my back yard) attitudes.

Solar energy is a wonderful idea, particularly for our area. It is a popular "clean" energy source that is in the process of becoming more affordable. The more of it Yuma County can attract, the better.

But old energy sources are not dead yet. They still are an important component of our overall energy needs. The delays imposed on them are costly to investors and ultimately hurt energy consumers. Our nation has a need for both old and new energy.