Renewable Energy
The production and delivery of renewable energy is becoming a top priority in the U.S. Many of the Western states currently have laws requiring utilities to generate 25% of their electric power with renewable energy by 2025 and it's probable that renewable energy production may be much higher than that in the next decade.
EcoFlight works with advocates of wind and solar energy which provides a zero emissions energy source, important for our future, and our air and water quality.
But like any new development, improper placement of wind turbines, utility lines and related structures, together with construction and maintenance disturbance, has the potential to adversely impact public lands and critical wildlife habitat and migration corridors.
EcoFlight works with conservation groups to support responsible development of renewable energy projects, that require comprehensive, ecologically sound, science based analysis in determining where those projects should be sited.
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State: Arizona Region: Phoenix, Maricopa County Description: Tour around the Phoenix area and see future solar sights as well as proposed wilderness and conservation areas. |
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State: California Description: To truly tap solar energy's enormous potential, many of the nation's energy, environmental and economic experts are addressing the challenge of speeding solar energy development while minimizing impacts on the land. For public lands that means building a program that guides projects to low-conflict solar energy zones (SEZ's) - areas with great solar resources that do not contain critical wildlife habitat, wilderness quality lands or sensitive cultural resources. |
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State: California Region: Mojave Desert Description: Thousands of “Heliostat” mirrors are programed to track the sun and point toward a solar receiver filled with water on top a 400 foot high tower. The high temperature turns the water into steam which is piped into a turbine, generating electricity. |
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State: California Description: This wind farm on the San Gorgonio Mountain Pass in the San Bernadino Mountains contains more than 4000 separate windmills and provides enough electricity to power Palm Springs and the entire Coachella Valley. Developed beginning in the 1980s, it is one of three major wind farms in California, along with those at Altamont and the Tehachapi passes. The gateway into the Coachella Valley, the San Gorgonio Pass is one of the windiest places in Southern California. |
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State: Colorado Region: Southwest Colorado Description: The Alamosa Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Plant is an 8.2 megawatt-dc installation located on roughly 80 acres of land in the San Luis Valley, near an Xcel substation in Alamosa, Colorado |
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State: Idaho Region: Boise Description: Conservation groups support responsible development of renewable energy projects, provided there is a requirement for comprehensive, ecologically sound, science-based analysis in determining where those projects should be sited. |
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State: New Mexico Region: Eastern New Mexico Description: The Argonne Mesa Wind Farm consists of 90 wind turbines located 40 miles south of Santa Rosa in eastern New Mexico. |
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State: New Mexico Region: Guadalupe County (40 miles southwest of Santa Rosa, New Mexico) Description: This is the Aragonne Mesa Wind Farm at the eastern end of New Mexico near Santa Rosa. This wind farm is owned by the Pinnacle West Capitol Corporation. The potential for electricity generation from wind is enormous in New Mexico, especially on the eastern plains, with annual wind energy potential estimated to be 435 billion kWh. |
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State: Wyoming Description: It is important to have an understanding of potential impacts of wind development on affected wildlife in Wyoming. |
