18,000 trees for solar panels?

[d4g4m]

Jackson NJ Six Flags amusement park has announced that they will install solar panels to generate electricity. But to do so, they will have to remove 18,000 trees to make space for the project.
Could this cause problems for environmentalists? They don't want coal or oil burned to make electricity but being tree huggers, they also don't want to see 18,000 trees destroyed.
What's a 'warmist' to do? Save the trees that produce O2 or clear cut acres of trees to install ugly solar panels that produce zero electric for 12 hours a day or less when NJ is covered by clouds?

[cb at sea]

Lord have mercy...we have all gone insane!

[uggabugga]

Sounds idiotic. Have a link?

[john620]

A fair option for those concerned would be for six flags to purchase credits for planting 18,000 trees in another location to offset the removal. That cancels out the effect and allows for cheaper and much more environmentally friendly electricity.

[Juram]

Would have gotten better mileage out of building solar covered parking structures.

[ContrarianEcon]

Originally Posted by cb at sea

Lord have mercy...we have all gone insane!

Not all of us but a lot. Just tell them warmer is better and be done with it.

[ConeyGirl52]

Originally Posted by cb at sea

Lord have mercy...we have all gone insane!

^^^ This. Imagine the effect on the eccosystem - flora and fauna living on those acres and benefiting from those trees. Just crazy.

[maf763]

"About 18,000 trees will be cleared as part of the project but the park's management says it will plant about 25,000 in coming years to replace them."

nj.com

[Xircal]

Removing trees doesn't necessarily mean they'll be chopped down. They're usually extracted from the soil, roots and all and either stored, or replanted elsewhere.

[katygirl68]

So what happens if the power fails while people are on the rides? Beyond removing trees, are they sure it will provide enough power to keep the rides going? I would assume a lot of energy is used at amusement parks.