Opinion: Tribes in California embracing renewable energy solutions
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Filed Under:
Opinion
"Michael Garcia, vice chairman of the Ewiiaapaayp Band of Kumeyaay Indians, was asked by Onell Soto with the Union-Tribune: "Why are these (large wind) farms, and supporting infrastructure, being proposed now?" It's worthwhile to repeat verbatim portions of his answers published Jan. 20.
Mr. Garcia writes: "San Diego County, California and this country need sources of clean, renewable energy. The East Ewiiaapaayp Indian Reservation lands lie within perhaps the best wind resource area in America. Today the high cost of polluting carbon based fuels, the need for clean, renewable energy alternatives, the availability of transmission lines in East County with the capacity to carry the electricity produced, the availability of federal tax credit incentives for renewable wind projects, and the incentives to SDG&E available under California's Renewable Portfolio Standard have all combined to make responsible development of the wind resource viable."
It is tribes who are among those truly doing the most for the environment and the whole community by embracing renewable energy systems. I admire the tribes. Their beneficent actions are not receiving nearly enough attention or praise.
When asked, "What about the issues like damage to views, wildlife and cultural sites?" Mr. Garcia early on observed, "the tribe believes renewable energy development is patriotic.""
Get the Story:
Daniel Coffey: The tribes are showing us the good path
(The San Diego Daily Transcript 1/27)
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