In Houston, the future giant solar park is not unanimous

Same story on the side of Jeffrey Clark, president of the Advanced Power Alliance association, based in Austin: according to him, those who fight against renewable energies have been disseminating for years "erroneous information" on the subject."Land owners, in particular farmers and breeders, will benefit from the profits that renewable energy projects generate.It is also a way for local communities to diversify their sources of tax income, "he said to the Houston Chronicle.Last October, Bertrand Piccard, who managed to achieve the first world tour aboard a solar plane, also explained to us in which solar energy constitutes a logical and ecological alternative, which createsdurable jobs and produces cheaper electricity than fossil fuels.

Because beyond the controversy, it is clear that solar energy is increasingly acclaimed in Texas, a very industrial state and considered to be the most polluting of the United States in terms of CO2 emissions.In July 2020, the municipality of Houston had already decided to go to the 100 % renewable (solar and wind) for all its operations, "in particular its wastewater treatment plants, its zoo and its three airports"."Cities are struck by climate change and we are in a way the first line of defense," said Lara Cottingham, director of sustainable development at Houston at the time.We have to mobilize.»»

Note that in France too, the debate could gain momentum in certain regions, notably in EN Gironde, where the companies Engie and Neoen carry a project of gigantic solar park ... which would notably involve the clearing of 1,000 hectares of pines.A public consultation on this project is planned in the coming months.