The federal government has approved a geothermal power plant near Medicine Lake, a sacred site in northern California. Tribes and environmentalists have formed a coalition to fight the plans and continue to protest for the protection of the Medicine Lake area from development. “It's another betrayal by the federal government of another promise to the tribe,” said Michelle Berditschevsky, environmental coordinator for the Pit River Nation and spokeswoman for the Native Coalition for Medicine Lake Highlands Defense. “The site is extremely sacred to the tribe and has been for at least 10,000 years.” The power plant project is owned by Calpine Corp, which hopes that the plant will alleviate the search for local and renewable energy, both in short supply. The California energy commission recently awarded the company with a $20 million grant for the project. However, approval hinges on an added requirement to ease the concerns by tribes and environmentalists and avoid especially sensitive or important areas, in addition to reducing visual and audible impact as much as possible.
