Editorial: Solar panels on unused land are a good move

Plans for building a large solar project on land next to Gnoss Field in Novato sounds like a good way to provide local alternative energy that’s important in the growth of MCE, the homegrown public energy conglomeration formerly known as Marin Clean Energy.

The plan recently won the approval of the county Planning Commission on a 4-0 vote.

It reflects the county’s green policies outlined in its landmark 2007 countywide plan.

But the proposal has critics, mainly local environmental groups that are concerned about losing bayside land to building anything, even a project that’s supposed to benefit the environment by helping fight climate change.

The site, 41 acres of Silveira Ranch, is zoned for agriculture. The panels will cover 15 of those acres. The longtime owners of the land say the panels will generate income needed to support agriculture on the family’s other ranchlands in San Rafael and Novato.

Importantly, the panels could provide power to meet the electrical needs of hundreds, if not thousands, of local homes.

It is an example of Marin doing its part to generate the power it uses, rather than relying on out-of-county generators — most of which are generated by non-renewable resources.

Marin should “walk the talk” of its adoption of the 2007 plan and the formation of MCE — whose purpose is to grow green power — and take advantage of opportunities to expand the generation of solar power where practical and environmentally sound.

In fact, county government could follow the lead of many local schools by installing solar panels over its Marin Center parking lots.

Critics of the plan, the Marin Audubon Society and the Marin Conservation League, among them, are questioning whether the county, in approving the plan, are short-cutting environmental review.

That’s a valid concern and the county’s weak track record on that front in recent years supports their argument. County planners and legal staff need to make sure the process is not going to fall victim to yet another successful legal challenge.

Even the county’s 2017 decision to close the popular San Geronimo Golf Course and turn it into open space ran legally afoul of such a regulatory short cut. Surprisingly, most local environment groups supported that move and process.

The county needs to make sure its approvals meet environmental-review rules, whether it’s in regards to closing a local recreation asset and turning it into open space or turning to unused land to help generate local green power.

Veteran planning commissioner Don Dicksenson was a strong voice in the 4-0 vote. He also has a long history of working to protect baylands, usually hand-in-hand with Marin Audubon and the Marin Conservation League.

But this site, he says, is historic ranchland and sided with the proposed project.

That is an important difference and one that makes the solar plan one that makes sense in both its location and its intent.