The Canarian Executive has stated that it will not surrender in its efforts for La Palma to host the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT). Despite the international consortium promoting the project rejecting Spain's economic proposal last Friday, the regional administration holds out hope that the situation may be reconsidered.
The spokesperson for the Canarian Government, Alfonso Cabello, described the decision as "bad news" with a "bad taste in the mouth." However, he emphasized that sufficient resources had been mobilized and a nationwide strategy articulated to boost the island's candidacy.
“"We don't want to throw in the towel, we will continue fighting, because we understand that situations may still arise that allow for reconsideration."
Cabello specified that, to his knowledge, the international consortium has not directly communicated the specific reasons for its rejection to the regional executive. The spokesperson insisted that his department believes "the step is not final" and that they will maintain "all possible drive and optimism."
The TMT is an ambitious optical and infrared telescope project, designed with a 30-meter primary mirror for unprecedented observation of the universe. Initially planned for Hawaii, opposition from the native population led to La Palma being considered as an alternative, a process that has spanned a decade.
Concurrently, the project has faced scientific budget cuts from the US Administration. Spain attempted to leverage a commitment of one billion euros in investment, backed by the European Investment Bank, should the Canarian island be ultimately selected.
