Avantus, a renewable energy company based in California, plans to clear thousands of Joshua trees in the Mojave Desert to build the Aratina Solar Project. This project, located near Boron and Desert Lake in Kern County, will provide electricity for nearly 180,000 homes in coastal neighborhoods. However, residents of the impacted communities are outraged by the destruction of protected Joshua trees and the harm to endangered desert tortoises. Despite their concerns, county officials approved the project, highlighting the trade-offs necessary in the pursuit of clean energy in California.
The development of solar and wind projects like Aratina is controversial as they involve the destruction of undeveloped land, harm to wildlife, and impact on nearby small communities that lack the political power to stop the projects. Avantus plans to clear the site of the Aratina Project, including Joshua trees, in order to reduce the visibility of the tree clearing. The company claims to be working to preserve native Mojave plants like Joshua Trees while also achieving clean energy goals. The company also states that the impact on Joshua trees and local wildlife will be minimized through proper mitigation measures.
The Kern County Board of Supervisors approved the Aratina project in October 2021, despite opposition from residents and concerns about the environmental impact. Avantus has set aside funds to protect Joshua trees in other areas across the state, as well as purchasing grazing rights on federal land in the county. The project is expected to generate significant tax revenue for the county and has secured contracts to provide electricity to Silicon Valley Clean Energy and Central Coast Community Energy. The company also plans to work with officials to preserve the land impacted by the project.
Although California lawmakers approved the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act in 2023, which bans the killing of trees without a permit, the Aratina project was approved by state officials before the Act was passed. The project was also approved before the state designated the Joshua tree as a candidate for protection under the state’s endangered species act. Residents and environmental activists continue to raise concerns about the impact of renewable energy projects on wildlife and communities, highlighting the complex trade-offs necessary to meet clean energy goals while protecting the environment.
