California legislation requires 33% of electricity production to be generated from renewable sources by the end of the decade. This has created a land rush in the middle of the state, areas presently used for production of over 400 different food crops.
There are currently 227 solar projects in the state being proposed. New applications continue with projects of over 40,000 acres absorbed by renewable energy projects. Despite this growth in the industry, no state policy has formed to considered the influence on the loss of land to agriculture.
Farmers are already pressured by loss of water (drought conditions), heavy housing development, and increased transportation costs.
There are currently 227 solar projects in the state being proposed. New applications continue with projects of over 40,000 acres absorbed by renewable energy projects. Despite this growth in the industry, no state policy has formed to considered the influence on the loss of land to agriculture.
Farmers are already pressured by loss of water (drought conditions), heavy housing development, and increased transportation costs.