Issues on Environmental Injustices - Essay Example

In 2011, the SCE&G and Boeing collaborated in developing a 14-acre solar project in Charleston, SC. According to analysts, the solar panel was the largest solar energy system in South Carolina and ranked sixth largest solar panel in the United States (Solar Energy USA, 2011) Despite having environmental significant, the projects have contributed to negative environmental changes in the state. The project has large utility-scale solar facilities, which raises concerns about habitat loss and land degradation. It inevitably consumes large land that could otherwise be utilized for agricultural purposes.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission encouraged the enactment of nuclear projects in the region. It facilitates the development of these facilities by providing site permits to various organizations. Before 2012, SCE&G was the only authorized plant that produced nuclear energy used within the region (Business Journal, 2012). Thereafter, NRC provided South Carolina Electric & Gas the authorization to create the first new reactor units in a generation currently built in the palmetto state. Supporters of such moves argue that nuclear energy is paramount in Charleston as it reduces the national reliance on fossil fuel thereby preventing global warming. However, such arguments overlook the possible negative implications of nuclear power plants on the ecological habitat (Business Journal, 2012).

The decision to establish these power plants in Charleston, SC is based on the economic impact on the community and the need to establish environmentally friendly power plants. Scientist cites that the solar power plant is very fundamental to human life since it eliminates all possible environmental effects. Under strict regulation, nuclear power plants are argued to produce more and reliable megawatts of electricity essential to support the industrial and domestic power needs.

Concentrating solar thermal plants (CSP) require much water approximately 650 gallons of water per megawatt-hour of energy produced. Large utility-scale solar panels occupy vast land in Charleston, SC thereby displacing the local community. The intensity of the solar resource and the topography of the sites require large land. In addition, solar power plant causes loss of habitat and land degradation in Charleston (Solar Energy USA, 2011). Researchers suggest that there are possible emissions of global warming gases during other stages of the solar life cycle such as maintenance, decommissioning, installation, and transportation, which may account for climate change in the region.

The nuclear plant produces heat emitted into nearby water catchment areas. It, therefore, destroys the ecological habitat of aquatic creatures among other wild animals. The projects within the region emit gas, sulfur dioxide to be precise, which generates acidic rain when it is exposed to other reactors in the atmosphere. Such acids contaminate water bodies and have an effect on metallic materials including roofs (Business Journal, 2012). Some surveys suggest that the acidic rain reduces the productivity of soil within the region among other negative effects on Charleston’s human health and vegetation.