Letter: STPUD solar project has adverse environmental effects

This letter has been sent to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) ahead of its Wednesday meeting on the subject, and reprinted here at the author's request.

Dear TRPA Board and Staff: I favor solar projects, but the South Tahoe Public Utility District's (STPUD) project has too many adverse environmental effects. My list of some of these effects includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. This project should have a CEQA for many reasons. 2. There are other locations at the plant (like barren retention basins in an SEZ) that will not have the impact of cutting down hundreds of trees, new roads, or underground trenches. 3. This is a wildlife corridor and will impact wildlife travel between resources in the basin.

As a 50+ year resident and a former member of the STPUD board (1989-1993), I oppose this project as stated above until STPUD provides a CEQA, puts panels on already covered locations that will eliminate the need for a new road, removal of hundreds of trees, and a new trench. I hope you take these issues as enough for you not to approve this project as proposed.

Thank you, Louis Pierini