New Source of Natural Energy, or Conflict?

Takashi
Posting #2
Topic: Technology/Science
Title; "Power Line Project Faces Challenges in California Valley"
Publication: New York Times
Date of Publication: 11/28/10
Length: 1248 words

Summery
In El Centro, California, the sunlight scorches the earth in the summer that the temperature easily exceeds 113 F. The West of the town has powerful wind blowing that are dangerous to the drivers. To the North of the town, near the San Andreas fault, water hot enough to create steam flows nearly to the surface. this cluster of geological resources lies a little over a 100 miles from San Diego. These resources can provide wind, solar, and geothermal energy by setting up a large utility near the area. Recently, San Diego Gas & Electric has spent $100 million and seven years to start working on 117 mile power-line to reach the resources of El Centro.
But this giant project also faces conflicts from the land they are about to use.The company already acquired approval from United Forest Service, Federal Bureau of Land Management, and The State of California by submitting 11,000 page (about 16 Harry Potter book stacked) environmental impact statement. However the neighbors of the area and the wild-life advocates have filled lawsuits challenging those decisions. The power line also have to avoid the complex border lines of Anza-Borrego Desert national Park and the Mexican border, making the power line project even harder to accomplish. When the project is completed, the good part is that the place can produce thousands of mega watts of energy to nearby cities and towns. but the down side is that the entire area will be turned into a giant industrial park.
Opinion
The nation needs a new source of renewable energy. The energy source in El Centro can produce large amount of energy from geothermal, wind, and solar energy. But the people (and animals) who live there will not like having an industrial factory built right in front of them. it is also very difficult to connect El Centro and San Diego with power line that stretches over 100 miles in a harsh climate. Should the company continue the building of the power line and the factory, even with many opposition and harsh conditions? This conflict will take more years to be completely solved.