Up to 90,000 Year Old Nevada Ice Age Fossils Disrupt 500-Mile Solar Energy Line

Urian B., Tech Times 07 March 2023, 10:03 pm

With the Greenlink West project, state politicians and conservationists are asking for a similar resolution, which includes more study of the area where it crosses the monument.

Potential Discovery of Thousands of Ice-age Fossils Delays Greenlink West Project

According to the story by Interesting Engineering, with its lengthy environmental review, the National Park Service favors a proven solution. Reports suggest officials could approve Greenlink West if similar protective measures are implemented.

The debate over the controversial Greenlink West power line is ongoing after a proposed plan to build a transmission line stretching nearly 500 miles from Nevada to millions of households was delayed due to the potential discovery of thousands of ice-age fossils.

Protecting Fossils from Potential Damage Caused by NV Energy's Power Line

The line, overseen by NV Energy and backed by the Biden administration, was scheduled to be released in January, according to an article by E&E News. However, an environmental study reported potential fossils in the line's path within the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument designated by the National Parks Service in 2014, pushing the project back to at least May.

The Pleistocene Period fossils discovered in the area are thought to date back more than 12,00 years and include mammoth, sabertoothed cats, coyotes, jackrabbits, and snails. How exactly do scientists plan to protect such fossils from potential damage caused by NV Energy's power line?

A Viable Solution: Scientists Unearth Fossils and Preserve History

In September, the National Park Service suggested ground-penetrating radar to locate any hidden fossils, which was linked with NV Energy funding and conducted by Geotech Global Consulting, as also explained on Peer. The scans detected vertebrate fossils, mammalian fragment remains, and even two proboscidean tusks extending 33 feet deep.

However, these issues have previously been encountered by projects involving similar power lines. Scientists discovered a viable solution when faced with fossils blocking the progress of the Harry Allen to El Dorado 500-kilovolt transmission line. Thousands of fossils were carefully unearthed, cataloged, and mapped, preserving the fossils and allowing for the project's progression.

Balancing Preservation and Renewable Energy: Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument

Unfortunately, until the environmental study is completed, the public may not know the full extent of the fossils found at the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument- and what impact this will have on the potential power line.

While many would agree that preserving such fossils is important, providing access to renewable electricity is also a national priority, and it's yet to be seen exactly how these projects can be balanced.

Preserving the Historical Significance of Ice-Age Fossils During the Greenlink West Project

The Greenlink West project is a priority of the Biden administration. The significant interconnection of power sources and households will have wide-reaching and long-term impacts, including the successful transfer of clean energy, an expansion of renewable sources, and a decrease in fossil fuels.

However, this importance is not lost when considering the Ice-Age fossils' significance and their crucial role in preserving history. As such, it is the responsibility of those managing such developments to adopt the right measures to alleviate the effects of construction, such as those seen at Tule Springs.