In rural Nevada, particularly in Esmeralda County, large solar farms are rapidly spreading across the desert. These solar projects, like the Esmeralda Seven near the California border, aim to produce enough energy to power millions of homes.
However, locals like Mary Jane Zakas, who live near these developments, feel that the push for renewable energy is taking over their land without providing enough benefits for the area.
They worry that the energy generated will be sent to cities far away, leaving behind a landscape dominated by solar panels and disrupting local wildlife.
Esmeralda County, one of the poorest and most remote areas in the U.S., is seeing these changes due to the Biden administration’s push for 100% renewable energy by 2035. The new Western Solar Plan, which could open up millions of acres of federal land to solar development, has caused concern among locals who feel that federal agencies are pushing energy projects without considering their long-term impact on rural areas. This plan could make nearly half of Esmeralda County available for solar farms.
Despite the push for green energy, local farmers like Mark Hartman feel there has been too much focus on solar and wind energy, and that energy independence should come from a variety of sources, not just renewables. Some hope that if Donald Trump becomes president again, he might slow down or stop the expansion of solar farms, although there is uncertainty about how he would handle this issue. Trump’s past actions suggest he supports energy development, but it’s unclear whether that would include a slowdown on solar projects.
Even among environmental groups, there is disagreement. Patrick Donnelly, an advocate for wildlife, argues that large-scale solar farms could harm ecosystems, particularly wildlife habitats and water sources. However, he doesn’t believe Trump would stop the influx of investments into Nevada’s solar projects, as companies are eager to profit from public lands, regardless of the administration in power.
In rural Nevada, some residents still believe that Trump will give them a stronger voice in these decisions, as shown by local election results. Despite the controversy, the future of solar energy in the area remains uncertain, with both supporters and opponents hoping for different outcomes depending on who leads the country.