The California Energy Commission has indicated that if they get more public comment on their proposed decision to approve the Ivanpah Solar Energy Generating System, they may have to delay their decision.

I can’t stress how important even a short delay might prove. The contractors basically have to have the tortoises moved off the site by the end of October. If they don’t do so, they can’t start construction until next spring. If they don’t start construction by December 31 2010, they lose their ARRA (stimulus) funding.

In other words, a few weeks’ delay might severely impair the project, perhaps truncating or even preventing it.

How often do you get a chance to really make change by writing one letter?

The more detailed and hard-to-answer questions the CEC gets in comments, the more likely they are to delay their decision. I can provide you with topics to cover, and you can choose one or more to write in your own words. The more varied voices we have here the better.

But don’t think you have to be an expert in anything relevant to contribute a comment. You merely have to be concerned about the privatization of public wildlands for industry. And you have to be able to write it and submit it in the next few days. The deadline is September 3.

Obviously, more detailed and expert and devastatingly argued is better, but I’d rather people submit comment even if all they have time and energy for is one sentence, even if that sentence is just “Don’t approve the Ivanpah SEGS.”

If you think you can do this, let me know: leave a comment here or email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). I can provide you with material that will help.

I’m begging you. Please do this with me.

1. 
   Rachel Shaw 2010 08 25 at 4:17:38 pm

   I’ve emailed you.

2. 
   Thomas M. 2010 08 25 at 4:22:38 pm

   I’m interested in helping out.  Feel free to send me an e-mail.

3. 
   nina 2010 08 25 at 4:28:40 pm

   All right, my friend. I can’t resist a man who begs. I’m in.

4. 
   Michele Simmons 2010 08 25 at 4:31:23 pm

   Whatever I can do to maintain sanctity of desert home, am in. Will make the time. Too important not to.

5. 
   Florian 2010 08 25 at 4:50:13 pm

   Send me the info please.

6. 
   Scott 2010 08 25 at 5:05:26 pm

   What Florian said!

7. 
   PublicEye 2010 08 25 at 6:58:53 pm

   Can non-Californians contribute to this effort?

8. 
   annietiques 2010 08 25 at 7:05:12 pm

   Whatever I can do, I will do!!!!! Email me…........

   I own property in the Hi-Desert!!!

   This thing makes me sick to my stomach…

9. 
   Bill Mcdonald 2010 08 25 at 7:07:00 pm

   I also have emailed for the information. Thanks for the great and timely post.

10. 
    Chris Clarke 2010 08 25 at 7:19:55 pm

    This activity is open to people inside and outside California.  The more the better!

11. 
    S Smith 2010 08 26 at 5:00:59 am

    Please post/send where and to whom to address my letter. I’d also love topic suggestions, although I’m an archaeologist, so I am well aware of the irreplaceable value of “hidden” resources.

12. 
    bev 2010 08 26 at 5:19:40 am

    Hi Chris, I’m interested, so send me the info I would need to send off a letter.

13. 
    timothy 2010 08 26 at 6:29:58 am

    Hi Chris, I’m interested as well. Could you send me the info? Or you could just post it on the website.

    Thanks

    Tim

14. 
    Kate Smith 2010 08 26 at 11:50:17 am

    Send me the information. I’m in.

15. 
    Rachel Shaw 2010 08 26 at 12:26:59 pm

    E-copy sent; hard copy goes in the mail today or tomorrow.

16. 
    Steve Berardi 2010 08 26 at 4:34:51 pm

    Chris, please send me the info too. Thanks.

17. 
    Jym 2010 08 26 at 6:04:09 pm

    <AOL>Me too!</AOL>

18. 
    Larry Hogue 2010 08 27 at 10:03:16 am

    I’m working on it. Send me the address, please. Thanks for publicizing this.

19. 
    Kris Collingridge 2010 08 27 at 6:00:48 pm

    Please email me the info, too.

20. 
    Rita Vail 2010 08 28 at 1:10:08 pm

    Send me what I need to write this letter and I wil do t.
    Rita