Texas is waging an environmental war over solar energy in tall-grass prairies

A historical marker, located just off Highway 82, denotes the land’s significance and gives it a named. The largest section of tall-grass prairie remaining in the state is the Smiley-Woodfin Native Prairie Grassland. It has never been plowed or replaced by crops. It will be no longer considered pristine prairie if it is disturbed by development.

These prehistoric landscapes are extremely rare, and they must be preserved and protected, stated Matt White, the author. Prairie Time. To say that we are going to erase this profit for profit is tone deaf, very shortsighted, and downright selfish.

The possible loss of the prairie is a stark example of the tug-of-war between the quest for renewable energy and the protection of natural landscapes. Each side has a common goal in combating climate change. Although there are some differences in certain situations, collaborations show that they can work together.

Given that renewable energy development will require a lot more land, the questions are: Where will these projects be placed? How can we make it as efficient and sustainable as possible? Ciaran Clayton, director of global media for Nature Conservancy, said:

The tall-grass prairie system stretches from Texas’ Gulf Coast to Canada’s Manitoba. The Smiley-Woodfin meadow forms part of the tall grass prairie system. It is one the most endangered ecosystems in North America. Texas only has less than one percent.

The prairie is vital to environmentalists because it is home for declining grassland bird populations and a breeding ground of Monarch butterflies. But it also sequesters carbon. Prairie grasses take carbon dioxide from air and store it in soil and roots at higher rates than Bermuda grass, a grass that spreads easily and is replaced by prairie grass across the country.

Soon after the Woodfin family had sold the land for $5.8million in 2019, Lamar Ranch Ltd. signed a lease to the solar project. Mark Buster was the managing member of Lamar Ranchs. He was fully within his rights. Despite the historical marker, there are no conservation easements on the land. Regulation in such situations is almost non-existent in Texas.

The project is called Mockingbird Solar CenterOrsted, a Danish-based energy company, is currently planning the project. According to the company’s website, the site will produce 400 megawatts (or enough power to power 80,000 homes) of alternating current. It is expected that it will be operational by 2024.

Orsted stated that the project will contribute $25,000,000 in local property taxes while it’s underway. A solar lease is usually for 20-30 years and pays a per-acre amount to the landowner.

Orsted biodiversity specialist Daniel Willard said that we recognize the importance this native prairie ecosystem. We are taking steps to ensure that we develop clean energy in harmony with nature, as this is one of the best ways to preserve biodiversity.

Orsted has not reached out to the Native Prairies Association of Texas in regards to this project. However the company stated it is working closely with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure that deer and coyotes have access to the land. Clayton said that the Nature Conservancy has been in contact with Orsted and is hopeful that they will implement recommendations that minimize the negative impacts of the facility to the native prairie.

The Nature Conservancy launched a tool in February that could help prevent future situations like these. Site Renewables RightMaps of 19 states that were identified by the organization as being most suitable for wind turbines and solar panels. The site also marks the area surrounding the Smiley-Woodfin meadow as having other biodiversity importance. It includes silveus droppedeed, a globally rare grass. It is also on the states birding trails and home to 25 native bee species.

Clayton explained that one solution is to place renewable-energy projects in previously developed lands like brownfields sites and former mining lands. This will reduce land-use conflicts, which can lead to delays and increase costs.

Other states have addressed the issue of installing renewable-energy projects on prairies. These are attractive because they don’t require clearing trees.

The Nature Conservancy in Michigan published a guide to planting native grasses around panels in May 2021. This guide suggested that there could be a mutually-beneficial relationship. The Nature Conservancy in Michigan also stated that it discourages the removal or alteration of landscapes that provide habitat for wildlife or native pollinators, in order to install solar panels.

Minnesota law requires solar companies to make a vegetation management plan and present their site management practices before the Board of Water and Soil Resources. This is to ensure that a project is pollinator- and bird-friendly.

Minnesota is also the home of Fresh Energys Center for Pollinators in EnergyThe state’s first standard for vegetation on solar sites was developed by, Texas is not among the more than dozen states that use pollinator scorecards.

Rob Davis, Connexus Energy’s electricity cooperative, stated that energy buyers can also look to standards, just as states do. He participated in the documentary Pollinators, Prairie, and Power. Any of these large companies could say, Hey, We Want Renewable Energy Projects That Create Value for the Local Community, Use Low-Intensity Design, and Avoid previously Undisturbed Lands Like Remaining Prairies.

Salesforce, one of the largest energy buyers, published a report called More than a MegawattOctober 2020. The company provided guidelines and questions about projects to help ensure that best practices are being used to preserve the land as renewables grow their footprint.

In a commercial, the cloud software company took that initiative to the global level. It aired during both the Olympics and Super Bowl. The commercial features Matthew McConaughey as an actor who journeys from space and back to earth. It was probably a dig at billionaires that have taken part in a new space race.

McConaughey explains in the commercial, “While the others look to Mars’ Metaverse in Mars,” What is the new frontier? It’s not rocket science. It’s right there.