Coming Soon to the U.S.: Clean Energy from Mexico

The alternative energy moneymen dreaming of clean energy from Mexico see several factors that make the country perfect for power production aimed at the Southwest U.S. Baja California and other parts of Mexico have gusty winds similar to those found in the world's best wind farm areas. Much of Mexico also boasts the same excellent solar footprint as California, Nevada and Arizona with bright, clear weather the vast majority of the time. In terms of total energy potential, the hills and fields of Mexico could easily supply thousands of megawatts to the U.S. without breaking a sweat. So could alternative energy projects in California, Nevada and Arizona. But concerns about giant churning windmills marring vistas are less pronounced in Mexico, where many families still struggle to put enough food on the table. And giant solar power projects sprawling for many acres will likely get a kinder reception in Baja, where the state government has already indicated it's eager to have U.S. power development companies build wind and solar farms, and provide the tax revenues and local jobs that will come along with such projects. Then there are the land and access prices. In areas where the wind is swift in the U.S., developers have already bid up prices, with landowners getting roughly $5,000 per year and up per wind tower in parts of the West. Ranchers in Mexico are settling for far less than that. This could change over time, but initially it reduces the upfront costs somewhat...read more