Calif. Tribe Sues U.S. To Block Mojave Solar Plant

EL CENTRO (AP) — A Native American tribe is suing the federal government in the hopes of blocking the construction of a solar project planned on 6,000 acres of public land in the Imperial Valley.

The Los Angeles Times reports Thursday that the Quechan tribe alleges that Tessera Solar's project near El Centro could damage significant cultural and biological resources.

In a complaint against the Interior Department the tribe says department officials ignored their concerns and rushed through permitting steps, violating federal law. The solar farm completed its approval process in October.

The tribe is asking a federal judge in San Diego to issue an injunction against the project.
State and federal agencies have fast-tracked several major solar projects to help them take advantage of federal stimulus funds.

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