Obama Giant Solar Plant Funded by $1.6B Shut Down After Only 10 Years

 The text discusses the failure of renewable energy projects in the U. S. , particularly focusing on the solar power plant Ivanpah in California and the troubled company Solyndra. It compares these projects to the grandeur of ancient Egyptian pyramids but notes that they have turned into costly failures. The Obama administration praised investments in these projects, claiming they would create jobs and lead to a more sustainable energy future. However, Solyndra ultimately filed for bankruptcy, and Ivanpah is set to shut down much earlier than planned, after only 13 years of operation instead of the intended 25 years.

Despite the plant being backed by large loans and grants, its actual energy output was significantly lower than expected. It was supposed to generate about 1 million megawatt-hours annually but only managed to average around 702,322 MWh from 2015 to 2023. This situation has raised concerns about the financial expense borne by taxpayers. Environmental issues also arose, as the plant's operation reportedly led to the deaths of thousands of birds, with estimates of around 6,000 bird fatalities each year, as well as damage to the habitat of the endangered desert tortoise. Critics, including environmental groups, regard the Ivanpah project as both an environmental disaster and a financial failure.

https://www.frontpagemag.com/obama-giant-solar-plant-funded-by-1-6b-shut-down-after-only-10-years/