Environmentalists Fight 'Green' Plan

 

Apr 09 - United Press International

A push to bring green energy to Los Angeles would destroy wildlife preserves and mar scenic vistas, say California environmental activists.

The proposed 85-mile Green Path corridor would put power lines and transmission towers through the San Bernardino National Forest and the Big Morongo Wildlife Preserve north of Palm Springs.

The plan to import nonpolluting power is supported by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, but opposed by more than a dozen preservation and community groups, the Los Angeles Times said.

Not only is such energy consumption not 'green,' it is unacceptable under any name, said Justin Augustine of the Center for Biological Diversity.

Los Angeles faces strict new state laws to replace polluting coal-fired power with renewable energy.

The Green Path project reflects the complications many communities nationwide face in determining how to bring wind, sun and steam power from remote rural areas to cities, the Times reported.