OPINION — In the October 28th article Shivwits Tribal leader touts ‘self-sufficiency’ as plans take shape for solar farm, business expansion, writer Nick Yamashita appropriately lauds the tribe’s new “small scale” solar farm development.
Solar farms are categorized as either community or utility scale. Think of the difference between the two types as that between a housecat and a lion. It appears the Shivwits project may be better defined as a community-scale solar farm where its smaller size will directly serve the immediate community.
On the other hand, a utility-scale solar farm can be vastly larger with tens of thousands of solar panels, several blockhouses for lithium battery storage and tall perimeter fencing. The power produced at these farms is either sold to wholesale utility buyers or owned directly by an electric utility company. The location of the utility-scale solar farm is no guarantee the power will be available locally or even regionally.
The BrightNight Corporation has proposed a utility-scale solar farm, the Red Butte Solar Project, in the Pine Valley Mountain foothills adjacent to Dammeron Valley on BLM land. It would likely cover 2200 acres but could be expanded to 7000 acres and thus encompass parts of Veyo and Diamond Valley.
That expansion would be equivalent to over three times the size of all four major county reservoirs combined when at full capacity, according to data obtained from the Washington County Water Conservation District. Even at 2200 acres it would be ranked in the top seven largest solar farms in the U.S. according to a 2021 article from www.solarfeeds.com.
Is it any wonder Dammeron Valley residents are concerned about such an immense industrial complex being proposed in their backyard? Just some of those concerns are related to scenery, home values, ground water contamination, deer migration disruptions, and recreation loss (ATV, hunting, biking, hiking, horseback riding).
This is not just our backyard but the St. George region’s backyard as well. The region benefits from the many popular recreation uses of these lands. It also benefits from the millions of tourism dollars brought in by the famous St. George Marathon which passes right through scenic Dammeron Valley. If we destroy the beauty of the mountains with this ghastly defacement, how will both regional recreation and tourism be adversely affected?
It’s your public land, it’s your choice. To comment, write your local BLM office.
Submitted by SUE HOKANA, Dammeron Valley
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