Source: Albuquerque Journal, N.存倉M.Sept. 08--Which would you rather potentially endanger?Private investment in a renewable energy project or White Sands Missile Range's ability to test forward-looking military systems intended to defend the nation.While one would hope there is a third option, this isn't a theoretical question. As President Obama is urging the United States to insert itself into yet another Middle East war, it also is clear Americans prefer using high-tech weaponry launched from distances over putting their sons and daughters in harm's way.The U.S. Department of the Interior appears ready to rubber stamp a proposed $1.2 billion electricity transmission line that in addition to its goal of delivering power from renewable sources to western markets will benefit private investors and a few high plains ranchers who lease their land for solar and wind farms.But the Department of Defense says a 45-mile stretch of the line as proposed through what is known as the WSMR Northern Extension north of the range could interfere with low-flying aircraft or create problems when attempting to shoot down missiles in tests. DOD officials feel strongly enough to be on record as saying the proposed line is a threat to national security.Power line proponents say DOD signed off on the route back in 2011, but a review of documents shows that "approval" was subject to various provisions outlined in another document that also urged continued examination of alternatives. There is nothing in the files that shows DOD ever approved a final route.Sen. Tom Udall and Reps. Ben Ray Lujan and Michelle Lujan Grisham are urging compromise. Rep. Steve Pearce and Gov. Susana Martinez support the DOD position. And Sen. Martin Heinrich says if SunZia investors don't get the go-ahead right now, the project could be dead.It is far from clear.Heinrich subsequently said there were ongoing efforts to discuss ways to allay the military's concern.SunZia has options. It could bury some of the transmission lines in the Norther迷你倉 Extension. Or it could move the line north. But either option could also kill the project, SunZia says, as burying line is expensive and moving the line would take too much time and planning.SunZia has said the project will generate more than 30,000 jobs, a claim that has generated considerable skepticism. The project also has drawn opposition from environmental groups in Arizona.On the jobs scorecard, the missile range supports 9,000 workers and their families, with salaries generating $2.3 million each day for the regional economy. WSMR supporters say losing test capabilities to SunZia could threaten White Sands in future BRACs.But as Congress and the American public consider the course of action in Syria urged by the president, it's important to recognize the importance of WSMR in having high-tech military options available to the commander in chief. For example, it was at White Sands that one of the first series of Navy Tomahawk Cruise Missiles was tested in 1976 and 1977. And testing of unmanned aircraft -- drones -- was being done there as early as the 1950s.Bottom line for the U.S. and New Mexico: America needs to develop renewable energy, but at the end of the day it is in the best interests of the nation to protect White Sands, a unique post with its ground to infinity unrestricted air space, top-notch testing infrastructure and thousands of experienced workers already here in the Land of Enchantment.Future American security and freedom will depend more and more on the kind of defense technology that is at issue here.Interior, DOD and our elected officials need to find a solution that protects that capability.This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, N.M.) Visit the Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, N.M.) at .abqjournal.com Distributed by MCT Information Services自存倉
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