USA, California:

California Environmental Permitting Still Favors Natural Gas (RenewableEnergyWorld.com)

Those in the energy field often hear how renewables must compete on a level playing field with fossil fuels. To make this concept a reality, experts have an interesting suggestion: Make it as easy to permit solar farms as it is to permit natural gas projects.

Even with the recent rise in renewable energy development in California, it remains a lot easier to obtain permitting for natural gas plants. Despite all the evidence of fossil energy risk to climate, to human health, and to wildlife, it is precisely in environmental permitting that permitting is most stacked in its favor. Solar saves wildlife and birds by displacing more harmful gas-fired electricity — but it has to meet more complex environmental requirements.

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