FW: One Day to Act for California Desert Tortoises

February 10, 2010

Just in case some of you haven't gotten this email alert, please take action ASAP! It will only take a minute or two.

Thank you!

Nadine May

Defenders of Wildlife, California Office [defenders] Wednesday, February 10, 2010 8:30 AMMay, NadineOne Day to Act for California Desert Tortoises

Do Renewable Energy Right for California Wildlife!

Decisions about how to “do” renewable energy could have irreversible consequences for California wildlife and ecosystems and push desert tortoises closer to extinction.

Take action now to ask state and federal officials to get renewables right the first time and defend the desert tortoises, bighorn sheep and other imperiled animals that live in California's desert.

The deadline is TOMORROW, February 11th, so please share this with other people who care about California’s desert wildlife.

Dear Nadine,

We all know America needs to end its deadly addiction to fossil fuels -- and start investing in renewable energy that can power our nation without destroying the planet in the process. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it. California is leading the way on renewables -- and developers are eyeing nearly a million acres in the California desert for utility-grade solar, wind and geothermal energy projects. But in the green energy gold rush, we can’t afford to make mistakes that could destroy California’s irreplaceable desert landscapes and the amazing wildlife they support. We need to do everything we can to get it right the first time.Take action to ask government officials to get renewable energy right the first time -- and protect California's beloved desert tortoises for future generations.Many people assume the desert is the best place to put large-scale solar facilities because they think of the desert as a barren place that’s devoid of life. But in reality, this couldn't be further from the truth.Joshua Tree, Death Valley, the Mojave National Preserve -- these places are truly special, and a source of national pride. They’re also home to some of the world's most unique wildlife -- from desert tortoises to bighorn sheep to burrowing owls.BrightSource Energy has proposed a utility-grade solar project that would consume more than 4,000 acres in the Mojave Desert and could push endangered desert tortoises that live there even closer to extinction. You can help protect them.The California Energy Commission concluded that the BrightSource project "would have major impacts to the biological resources of the Ivanpah Valley, substantially affecting many sensitive plant and wildlife species" in the Mojave Desert.Location, location, location. Big solar projects will have big impacts. That’s why we need to push officials to ensure that large-scale renewable energy projects are located in places that will have the least impact on the desert’s fragile wildlife and ecosystems -- areas that are near existing highways, cities and transmission lines. The stretch of the Mojave where BrightSource wants to build its 400-megawatt solar power plant is spectacular and almost totally pristine. But if the company moved its project closer to highway 15, the negative impacts it could have on the desert tortoise -- and its sensitive habitat in the Ivanpah Valley -- would be dramatically reduced. Take action now to remind officials that we don't have to choose between moving forward with renewable energy projects and making sure desert tortoises, bighorn sheep and other imperiled wildlife are protected.The BrightSource project is the first big solar project to go through this review process…with literally hundreds of other applications in line behind it. The decisions that state and federal agencies make right now will set a powerful precedent -- and could have devastating and irreversible consequences for wildlife in California and beyond.This is our best opportunity to ask officials to work together to ensure that we do renewable energy the right way for wildlife. The deadline for action is TOMORROW, February 11th, so please take action today to stand up for California’s irreplaceable deserts and the unique animals that need them to survive.For the Wild Ones,

Kim DelfinoCalifornia Program DirectorDefenders of Wildlife

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Defenders of Wildlife is a national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities.

Defenders of Wildlife can be contacted at: 1130 17th Street, NWWashington, DC 20036