Palen Solar Tower Proposal Falls

Background: On Friday, September 26, Palen Holdings LLC filed a notice to withdraw its solar tower project amendment. This news indicates that the company will not move forward with its 750-foot power tower, which stood to negatively impact birds and Joshua Tree National Park.

Statement by David Lamfrom, California Desert Program Associate Director for the National Parks Conservation Association

“The National Parks Conservation Association is relieved and thankful for Palen Solar Holdings LLC’s smart decision to move away from its proposal to build a solar tower next to Joshua Tree National Park and in the middle of the Pacific Flyway. Americans love our national parks and our wildlife, and today’s smart decision is an indication that solar developers can as well. We hope that today’s action will embolden the Interior Department to follow suit as it proceeds with the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) and decisions related to in-progress renewable energy proposals that impact our national parks. The Interior Department must demonstrate its leadership by opposing the massive Soda Mountain solar farm, ¼ of a mile from Mojave National Preserve; the Silurian Valley wind and solar proposal next to Death Valley National Park and over the Old Spanish Historic Trail; and the Eagle Crest pumped storage facility in the shadow of Joshua Tree National Park.”

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About National Parks Conservation Association
Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than one million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s natural, historical, and cultural heritage for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.