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World's darkest and clearest skies at risk from industrial megaproject

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Re: World's darkest and clearest skies at risk from industrial megaproject

#6

If you were wondering if there was any issue even less important to Americans than the lives of pedestrians and cyclists, it is dark skies.

why is this downvoted? the specific cities (notably in Arizona) that have taken deliberate action on this are exceptions proving the general rule that light pollution is demonstrably less of a policy concern even compared to the notorious American disdain for walkable infrastructure.

Re: World's darkest and clearest skies at risk from industrial megaproject

#7

[flagged]

From TFA: > It includes constructing a port, ammonia and hydrogen production plants Ports and especially chemical plants are basically lightbulb arrays.

They're not going to build a port "just 5 to 11 kilometers from telescopes" (from TFA) when the telescopes are 15km from the ocean. A chemical plant wouldn't be inland either because it will want access to the port.

Re: World's darkest and clearest skies at risk from industrial megaproject

#8

If you were wondering if there was any issue even less important to Americans than the lives of pedestrians and cyclists, it is dark skies.

why is this downvoted? the specific cities (notably in Arizona) that have taken deliberate action on this are exceptions proving the general rule that light pollution is demonstrably less of a policy concern even compared to the notorious American disdain for walkable infrastructure.

The telescopes are 8,000 miles south of America. Why does American policy matter?

Re: World's darkest and clearest skies at risk from industrial megaproject

#9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From TFA: > It includes constructing a port, ammonia and hydrogen production plants Ports and especially chemical plants are basically lightbulb arrays.

They're not going to build a port "just 5 to 11 kilometers from telescopes" (from TFA) when the telescopes are 15km from the ocean. A chemical plant wouldn't be inland either because it will want access to the port.

You think a port and industrial plant that requires 3/4 of a gigawatt of electricity will be built within a limit of less than 4000m from the ocean port? Every port I’ve seen took at least a few kilometers of inland space. I also don’t think a few kilometers makes much of a difference to the light reduction, basically any light at all will harm the telescope.

I am surprised at the “meh” response from the commenters here, they want to build an industrial plant in one of the best places for astronomy. Can’t the plant go elsewhere? The telescope cannot go elsewhere.

Re: World's darkest and clearest skies at risk from industrial megaproject

#10

BANANAs in action, can't even build a green energy facility in the literal middle of nowhere without complaints.

It’s an industrial plant with an attached power plant, it’s not like families will be using this power.
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