A proposal to drill wells for a geothermal project in Black Rock Desert, the home of Burning Man, has been rejected, preserving the land for Burners long into the future.
Ormat Technologies submitted a permit to expand their project to harness geothermal energy to Black Rock Desert in Nevada, 110 miles north of Reno.
Geothermal energy is created when companies drill into underground sources of hot water releasing steam that can be used to spin a turbine.
While this renewable energy source does not inherently create carbon dioxide, it is damaging to the earth, invasive, and can impact groundwater.
Therefore, the drilling permit was revoked on the grounds that it could damage the town’s water supply and destroy the land’s untouched beauty.
Authorities also claimed the proposed project failed to comply with the county’s “High Desert Area Plan” and the Conservation Area Act of 2000 that protects the unspoiled landscape.
Locals and Burners alike celebrate the rejected project. One business owner said, “The project runs the risk of changing a spectacular mountain vista into a spectacular vista of an industrial plant.”
Burning Man has been a utopic haven for over 30 years, hosting spiritual transformations and musical performances since the 80s with the move to Black Rock Desert happening in 1990.
Check out one of the most well-known art collectives at Burning Man, Mayan Warrior, below for their Parra For Cuva fundraiser in Mexico to understand the importance of the land:
Featured image from Burning Man Project, photo credit andrewwyattphoto
