To the Editor:
The rapid expansion of solar panels and data centers has focused political attention on both. Solar panels and data centers have major benefits if used for good purposes with fair rules. Few would disagree that good rules are critical if we want to live in a civil society in a sustainable world, just like in sports where the rule books are fat to ensure fairness and sustainability.
What should the rules be for use of farmland and natural habitat? Data centers are huge paved areas and buildings that do not accommodate farming or sustain nature. Perhaps there should be rules to try and put them on already paved urban renewal areas. Solar arrays on the other hand help avoid even worse global warming and extreme weather, and they can accommodate continued use of farmland and help restore and sustain natural areas under them surprisingly well if built with dual purpose in mind.
Voters may want to ask which political candidates support fair rules to help keep data centers from taking farmland and fair rules that support solar panels as a dual use on farmland and natural habitat.
Paul Noeldner
