"California Energy Commission staff on Friday said BrightSource Energy's proposed 500-megawatt Hidden Hills solar thermal power project would have 'significant' impact on the environment."

"In a statement on the final staff assessment, the state's primary energy planning and policy agency cited impacts on 'biological resources, cultural resources, land use, and visual resources' even if recommended mitigation measures are implemented.

BrightSource said the company is looking forward to the formal evidentiary hearings upon which the Commission will base its final decision."

Nichola Groom and Koustav Samanta report for Reuters December 24, 2012. [2]