Solar power plant lawsuit thrown out in Calif.

California's supreme court refused to consider a lawsuit filed by an influential environmental group seeking to delay construction of a solar plant because it might harm rare plant and animal species.
The state supreme court said it would not review the Sierra Club's complaint against the Calico Solar Project -- one of a string of lawsuits accusing solar power plant projects across the largest U.S. state of harming the environment.

The court offered no explanation. In its complaint, America's oldest environmental organization argued to the courts that the California Energy Commission had approved the Calico project improperly, failing to take into account potential harm to native flora
The ruling 'is a boon for California's economy and could pave the way for hundreds of construction and operator jobs over the next several years,' California Energy Commision chair Robert Weisenmiller said in a statement.

The project was developed by K Road Sun, which bought it from NTR's Tessera Solar. The Sierra Club did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Conflicts between solar proponents and foes are taking on growing importance as the industry experiences a boom, particularly for California.

Other companies with plants under development that are raising environmental concerns include First Solar Inc and SunPower Corp













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The Sierra Club's lawsuit charged regulators failed to fully mitigate the project's impact on rare plant and animal species, and asked the court to void approval and permits.

It was one of a string of suits targeting planned solar plants, potentially setting back the development of solar energy and derailing state and federal commitments to lessening dependence on fossil fuels.