!!!!! WARNING! THE LINK I'M ABOUT TO SHARE HAS VERY STRONG LANGUAGE - PLEASE DON'T TAKE OFFENSE AT THE LANGUAGE, BUT THIS VIDEO SENDS A STRONG MESSAGE - WORTH WATCHING!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmbZwxEnAFc

PLEASE COME FOR A FREE PRAIRIE WORKSHOP, BBQ, AND A CHANCE TO COLLECT WILDFLOWER AND NATIVE GRASS SEEDS ON OCTOBER 26, 2024!  PLEASE SHARE

I've been gathering photographs of the Enel and Oncor project east of town in Franklin County, Texas.  These photograph and messages can also be found on  the Industrial Solar Opposition Team facebook page (SaveFranklinCountyTexas submitted by B.F. Hicks).

The first two photos posted with the  message - "It’s all about the money. Here is Oncor working to upgrade transmission lines to carry electricity from solar panels to Dallas market. Enel plans to cover a 9-mile stretch in this county going on into Titus County and they have made the deal for Oncor to install more lines. Seriously: study paperwork, Oncor plans call for clearing across most of our landscape. These has to be a better way." 

The next three photos posted with the  message - "West side of the Daphne Prairie Preserve looking across the fence at land optioned to Italian company Enel (Saddle House/ Stockyard or any of another hundred plus names). Their home country has banned solar panel installations on agricultural land.  We need to follow suit in Texas and the USA. "

The last five photos posted with the message - "Parcels of virgin prairie about to go under panels. Enel from Rome will leave us a heat island wasteland.  Tracts of land lying just south of Slaughter Ranch west  North Franklin County and west of the Daphne Prairie.  Italy won’t let this happen in their home country.  We need to prohibit road use to stop this sort of development here, especially as far as trucking in hazardous lithium ion batteries planned for an energy system storage system in this area. "

End of this blog.

07/02/2024

And you wonder why a person sent an e-mail stating "Read this and see if you can guess why I turned down an offer of $20,000.00 a year to let them put a small 20 acre solar farm on my  farm."

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/johnshurr_an-interesting-conclusion-solar-farms-will-activity-7206075830102315011-qyje?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios

Concerns!

We need to address the concerns about solar panel waste and the environmental impact of wind turbines:

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today, we stand at a crossroads in our journey towards a sustainable future. The promise of renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines has been a beacon of hope in our fight against climate change. However, as we embrace these technologies, we must also confront the challenges they present.

Solar Panel Waste is a looming challenge. Our county has seen a significant rise in solar energy adoption.  We face an emerging issue:  the disposal of solar panels.  As panels reach the end of their life, we risk creating a new kind of waste - one that is not easily recyclable and could harm our environment if not managed properly. Wind Turbines come with environmental considerations.  The construction and operation of turbines can affect local wildlife and ecosystems.  A call to action!!! We must act now to prevent these solutions from becoming future problems.  We need wildlife friendly solutions. Why can't the industry leaders, policymakers, and the community work together to ensure that our green technologies remain truly green.  Let us not shy away from these challenges.  Let us tackle these challenges head on.  Let us save our county!

Let’s delve into the impact of renewable energy sources, specifically solar panels and wind turbines, on our environment, wildlife, and agricultural land.

Let's look at Solar Panels:

The Waste and Recycling:

Solar panels are generally composed of materials like silicon, glass, and metal. While they have a long lifespan (typically 25-30 years), eventually they need replacement.

Recycling solar panels is essential to minimize waste. Some components, like silicon wafers, can be recycled, but challenges remain in handling toxic materials. 

Effect on Plants and Land:

Solar farms require significant land area.  They can displace crops and affect local ecosystems.

Wildlife Impact:

Solar panels themselves do not pose direct threats to wildlife, however, large scale solar farms can alter local habitats, affecting plant and insect populations.

Let's look at Wind Turbines:
https://youtu.be/2F-bBTsK04k?si=xUT7i2Vm-_Lbpk1C 

Bird and Bats:

Wind turbines can impose risks to them. Collisions with the blades are a deep concern.

What about land use and aesthetics?  These turbines also require substantial land area for installation and can be very disruptive (as so the solar panels).

Other concerns.

The water use required to keep the large solar installations clean... And we simply don't have the water to support the industry.

We need reasonable regulation of renewables in Texas; right now, they can just come in and start their construction.

At this point, they can do what they want with no repercussions. Including driving a  D4 bulldozer down our county roads multiple times a day!!!!!!!

When this "whole thing" started - back in 2022 (first I learned of what was planned for us) - I thought we were all alone. Turns out people across Texas are concerned over this devastation; blading off our topsoil; spoiling the watersheds; and fencing out nature; further driving our grassland birds to a critical point of no return; what part of nature is left in 30 years to try to come back in on this desolate landscape. And, give me a break, these foreign developers are all about profit; there is not enough of a market to justify the sheep that don't thrive anyway - even if that ploy was real.  We are fortunate to learn of many organizations raising voices of concern in Austin and Washington. Bravo for friends with Save Brown and Coleman Counties who are sharing their sentiments and findings with us in Northeast Texas.

Nicola Di Cesare stated that to plant a wind turbine you need up to 600 tons of iron and concrete thrown deep into almost always agricultural or virgin land; they have absolutely nothing ecological and often destroy the natural courses of the aquiferous waters. Earth destroyed forever because of multinationals speculation of energy.

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