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LUCERNE VALLEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (LVEDA)
RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT AND SITING CRITERIA
Oppose all utility-scale “renewable” projects until the grid can fully
accommodate its power without siphoning it off due to capacity constraints – or
decelerating/accelerating base load coal/natural gas/nuclear generation to
accommodate it (which increases emissions/wastes power/disrupts systems, etc).
Halt legislation that bans all development over vast areas (ie: Desert
Protection Act) until a plan is in place that identifies the appropriate
locations for renewable projects and for future mining.
General opposition to renewable projects on BLM/public lands.
“Fast tracking" is unraveling a multitude of conservation efforts that citizens
and BLM have spent decades implementing.
We're screwing up the integrity of the Calif. Desert - partitioning it out w/o a
comprehensive plan - losing the "whole" of it by giving away its "parts".
Ft. Irwin's and Ivanpah's experiences indicate tortoise relocations don't work
well enough to constitute "full" mitigation. There's a lot more than tortoise
that need protection - a multitude of other critters and habitats - open space -
etc.
Relying on off-site "conservation" lands to compensate these project impacts
might be a "feel good" measure - but the demand will far outpace the supply
(much of which is already set aside for conservation and multiple use) - we're
just moving stuff around - the Counties lose tax base when private lands are
transferred to BLM/DFG/etc. - plus reduces areas for other legit. multiple uses.
Solutions:
Halt solar/wind application processing until "Programmatic" is finalized. (Shut
the barn door - still got some good horses left)!
Look at the desert as a "whole" - do an "Energy Plan" with zoning and/or
specific siting criteria - determine the "right" places for this stuff.
Acknowledge that the acreage requirement per solar/wind MW is a poor/marginal
tradeoff of desert resources within the total mix of energy options.
Projects on BLM currently under processing that are in "wrong" locations - per
the Plan - could be transferred to "approved" locations with minimal cost and
burden to applicants.
DOI eliminate its "fast tracking" practice of trumping BLM in final actions!
BLM increases its lease rates commensurate with the average cost of
leased/purchased private parcels (ie: fallowed ag. land, etc. that can't be used
for anything else in today's
market) - leveling the playing field for private property owners to benefit from
these projects - quit subsidizing the use of public land at the expense of free
market options.
BLM/CEC/etc. require all applicants for public land sites to present a detailed
analysis of options to use private parcels for their projects prior to
initiating any formal processing. Adopt policy: ""Fill up rooftops - parking
lots - fallowed ag. lands with solar/wind -where necessary infrastructure exists
- (which alone should be sufficient to meet "renewable goals") --- before
considering the use of the Plan's "zoned" public land"".
Projects on private/state lands:
Advocate County’s implementation of AB 811.
Advocate as the highest priority - solar units on commercial parking lots and
rooftops – residential solar/wind.
General opposition to utility-scale wind projects – too heavily subsidized –
view shed obtrusive – inefficient generation of power relative to other sources
- harm to raptors/eagles/etc. - long transmission lines/new corridors over and
around hills – etc.
When and if sufficient grid capacity becomes available: Likely general
opposition to utility-scale projects on private/state lands – exceptions based
on compliance with criteria listed below.
Utilize fallowed ag. land/disturbed parcels with minimal
biological/drainage/etc. impacts.
Oppose high water consumption “solar thermal” projects. PV only.
Low profile PV panels (4 to 6’ high) – preferably non-tracking unless less than
8’ in max. height.
_______’ buffer adjacent to parcel with residence (depending on project layout)
– screen with vegetation/etc. with ultimate “blocking” – when and if requested
by adjacent residents.
Consult up-gradient residences when considering parcels that constitute their
significant view shed.
Avoid parcels planned/zoned and suitable for more job producing and economically
beneficial future development.
Full mitigation for construction-related disruptions.
Local hiring for construction and operation.
Project applicants provide an “economic impact report” to include property value
impact, number of temporary jobs for LV/JV residents, permanent jobs for LV/JV
residents, tax and other new revenues that will directly benefit the LV/JV
communities - disclosing every expected economic impact – positive and negative
– performed by a third party, reputable entity with experience in energy
project-related economic analysis.
For every $ spent on these projects, the applicant will invest X dollars into
AB811 programs/accounts established only for LV/JV area residents – which are
loans with interest payments - not subsidies – providing future profit for the
developer. Localized rooftop solar panels will decrease demand on current
transmission lines/systems – a net benefit to the large scale solar developers.
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