August 21, 2013
California
California
Solar, wind top issues at Lucerne Valley Economic Development Association
Solar, wind top issues at LVEDA | By PETER DAY, Leader Editor | The Leader | 08/20/2013 | www.lucernevalleyleader.com
Solar, wind top issues at LVEDA | By PETER DAY, Leader Editor | The Leader | 08/20/2013 | www.lucernevalleyleader.com
An array of current, local topics were discussed during last Tuesday’s meeting of the Lucerne Valley Economic Development Association.
Agendized topics included Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan, Marine Base Expansion, the push to end the hauled water prohibition, the new joint Lucerne Valley and Johnson Valley Municipal Advisory Council and the status of a Lucerne Valley pictorial book in progress.
But renewable energy projects in Lucerne Valley – especially anticipated solar and wind farms – took center stage at the meeting.
Jim Harvey, who serves as president of the school district’s governing board, discussed how LVEDA and others can help protect Lucerne Valley and its neighbors from unbridled projects.
“You can’t fight these projects individually,” Harvey said. “You have to fight the model. You have to fight the paradigm. If we keep that in mind I think we can finally beat this thing. I’m very optimistic.”
LVEDA president Chuck Bell noted that the California Desert Coalition recently allocated $15,000 to hire a consultant to address how to get “rooftop solar” into the SCE transmission system.
“We may drum up a few bucks to have them help us,” Bell suggested.
Other topics at the LVEDA meeting:
Bev Lowry, field representative for Third District Supervisor James Ramos, talked about Ramos’ recent visit to Barstow, which included a tour of the Barstow College Performing Arts Center.
Mojave Water Agency Division 2 Director Jim Ventura said the MWA has 93 projects on the table and will finalize them next month.
“This is a needed process we have to go through to get grants,” Ventura said.
The 2013-14 school year will begin on Aug. 21, said school board president Harvey.
“The superintendent (Suzette Davis) says, ‘We’re ready’,” Harvey said.
The district ended its 2012-13 school year with an enrollment of 770 students, he added.
Harvey also said the school district’s new website is online and operational. The new site includes audio of school board meetings and additional streaming multi-media files.
“It’s quite an improvement,” he said.
The new website is http://www.lucernevalleyusd.org/
Serina Harvey of Flip Flop Ranch discussed the need for cottage industries in Lucerne Valley.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/08/21/solar-wind-top-issues-at-lucerne-valley-economic-development-association/