TRIBE SUES TO BLOCK DESERT SOLAR PROJECT; PROTESTERS GATHER IN OCOTILLO TO OPPOSE ONE OF WORLD’S LARGEST SOLAR PROJECTS
Printer-friendly version Environmentalists, desert enthusiasts and East County organizations also object to Tessera’s 10-mile-long, 6,000-acre desert solar farm which would tie in to Sunrise Powerlink By Miriam Raftery November 17, 2010 (Ocotillo) – “To me, it is a genocide of our tribal ways and culture,” Preston J. Arrow-Weed, a member of the Quechan Native American tribe, told East County Magazine. Gazing out at the Coyote Mountains on ancestral land he considers sacred, he asked, “All this electricity and who gets it? Not us.” The Quechan Indians filed a lawsuit October 29th against the U.S. Department of Interior seeking to halt the project. On November 15 and 16, a coalition of Indians, environmentalists and desert enthusiasts staged protests at two solar desert sites. In Ocotillo, dozens of protesters hoped to draw public attention to the project’s impacts on the desert ecosytem, cultural resources and a national historic trail. “This land is culturally significant to the Yaman language speaking families—Kumeyaay, Cocopah, Quechan, Mojave and Hulapai,” explained Alan Hatcher of Lakeside, a Cocopah tribal member. Lake Cahuillo, which once occupied the land, “is really significant to East County,” Hatcher said. The lake served as a stopover for tribes traveling from Arizona to San Diego’s East County for trading purposes. The lake receded about 500 years ago, but cremated bones of tribal ancestors are buried in the earth here. “It’s sacred to us,” Hatcher said. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced October 5th that the Imperial Valley project, one of two being built by Tessera and Stirling, was approved and the 709-megawatt concentrated dish solar station would move forward. The other is slated for the Mojave Desert. The two projects will be among the world’s largest solar energy facilities, according to Stirling Energy Systems, producing 1,000 MW of power by 2012. “These projects are milestones in our focused effort to rapidly and responsibly capture renewable energy resources on public lands,” Salazar said. “These projects advance the president’s agenda for stimulating investment in cutting-edge technology, creating jobs for American workers, and promoting clean energy for American homes, businesses and industry.” The Tessera Imperial Solar II project, slated to break ground in December, would involve bulldozing 6,000 acres of desert and installing 28,000 “Sun-Catcher” parabolic mirrors over a ten-mile long stretch of desert habitat between I-8 and Evan Hewes Highway east of Ocotillo. Tessera did not return a call from ECM requesting comment for this story. The mirrors would track the sun, focusing heat on Stirling engines which would power “noisy” turbines, according to Terry Weiner with Solar Done Right. The group wants to see solar installed in urban areas where the energy will be used, such as on rooftops, rather than in desert habitat. Opponents say the Sun-Catcher technology has never been tested on an industrial scale. “Tessera is using eight months experience with 60 Sun-Catchers in Phoenix to predict 40 years of successful operation of 80,000 Sun-Catchers,” said Tom Budlong, an engineer who intervened in an Imperial solar project with the California Energy Commission. “Only the federal government has agreed to take this risk. Private investors have not.” Tessera spokesperson Janette Coates provided the following remarks in response to an ECM request for comment. "Tessera Solar has attempted to take a respectful and responsible approach to siting and permitting the Imperial Valley Solar Project, seeking a way to ensure development of clean renewable energy in a way that minimizes environmental impacts, including cultural resources. Tessera Solar reduced the original project footprint by approximately 1,000 acres to avoid Native American cultural resources. In addition, as we have stated during the course of the environmental review process the BLM and Tessera Solar engaged in a lengthy and thorough consultation with affected Native American tribes and other interested parties that resulted in a comprehensive Programmatic Agreement governing treatment of cultural resources. Under this Programmatic Agreement, Tessera Solar will implement measures to avoid and mitigate impacts to sensitive cultural resources." But Hatcher and others believe that more needs to be done by Tesssera and the government to address the tribes’ concerns. “It’s on a fast track,” he said of the project. “Just like Powerlink, the public is not aware of the impacts.” Hatcher added that Tessera is dependant on $250 million in stimulus funding for the project—money he said is largely dependant on breaking ground by December 1st. “We’re in favor of renewable energy as a human race,” he said, but expressed concern over the desecreation of ancestral lands. “Of course we don’t want it on our sacred land,” he said. Hatcher told a story of seeing a rabbit emerge from a burrow. “That could be one of our elders coming back. It’s as simple as that. It’s a part of our belief,” he said, adding that one elderly tribal woman shed tears at the sight. “We look at this process as removing evidence of our existence here.” “What we will lose is really diverse lower Colorado River habitat,” said Weiner. The property is under jurisdication of the federal Bureau of Land Management and is critical habitat for Peninsular bighorn sheep, a federally designated endangered species. Numbers have declined sharply in recent years, linked to destruction of habitat. “I spotted three bighorns here myself on Highway 8,” said Weiner, who said the sheep travel from Coyote Mountains south to the Jacumba Mountains. “The sheep started to be in trouble with building of Highway 8,” she said, noting that the border wall has also prevented the bighorns’ movement into the Juarez Mountains in Mexico. “This is also habitat for badger, mountain lions, coyotes—lots of significant species.” Kevin Emmerich, a field biologist who formerly served as a park ranger in Death Valley, said herds of bighorn have been seen on this site, which provides both good grazing as well as a pathway for herds to move from one mountain range to another. He fears that industrialization of the area would harm both “We
VIDEO ADVENTURES IN EAST COUNTY: SKY HUNTERS’ RAPTOR HAVEN PROVES A RAPTUROUS EXPERIENCE
Printer-friendly version Story, photos and video by Billy Ortiz November 17, 2010 (Alpine)—Far off the beaten path in the back country of east San Diego County, nestled in a hidden glen, is a special rehabilitation center for injured and orphaned birds of prey. Sky Hunters is a raptor education facility geared toward public information, preservation and rehabilitation of birds of prey. Scroll down for details and to view our video. Presentations are given to people of all ages with live educational birds of prey. Some of the birds you will see are red-tailed hawks, barn owls, American kestrels, a bald eagle and a golden eagle, falcons, buzzards, and crows. My grandsons and I found our visit to be pleasant and enjoyable. John Conney, the keeper, was skilled in demonstrating how to handle a raptor ( in this case, a red-tailed hawk ). Nancy Conney, the director, was very knowledgeable and has a deep love for what she does, also making you feel right at home. I would definitely recommend visiting this facility and seeing the Sky Hunters up close to learn about raptor behaviors, as well as what to do if you find a sick injured or orphaned raptor. Sky Hunters Raptor Education & Rehabilitation Center is located in Alpine. It’s just 45 minute drive from San Diego and well worth the trip. View our video, which includes footage of eagles and other birds of prey in the wilds of East County, as well as raptors at Sky Hunters: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1227305699143 For more info call 619-445-6565 or go to: http://www.skyhunters.org/home.html. For emergencies, page 619-580-HAWK. Printer-friendly version
CONCERT AT THE VINE NOV. 19 TO BENEFIT ACCIDENT VICTIM
Printer-friendly version November 15, 2010 (Alpine) –The Vine, an Alpine eatery, will hold a fundraising concert on Friday, Nov 19 to benefit Jared Kylstad, who was struck by a car while walking outside Whole Foods Market in San Diego. Kylstad suffered severe injuries to his feet and legs that left him unable to work for several months as he faces mounting medical bills. The concert is organized by Kelsea Rae Little, daughter of the Vine’s owner. Little, a concert harpist, will also be one of three performers at the concert. Visit Little’s website at www.myspace.com/kelsearlittle. In addition to Little, guitarists Kerri Dopart http://www.myspace.com/kerridopart and Kenny Ing http://www.kennyeng.com are scheduled to perform. Twenty percent of all sales from the event, which will start at 6pm and end at 10pm, will be donated to Kylstad. For more info please visit: www.visitthevine.net. Long-time readers may recall The Vine has been listed as one of our East County Eater’s favorite restaurants. Read our rave review: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/819 Printer-friendly version
WILL POWER REPORT: BLESSINGS OF OLD AGE
Printer-friendly version Nothing but the Truth! By Will Power November 16, 2010 (San Diego)–I am officially a geezer on Thanksgiving. So I thought it would be a good idea to think of how being old is a good thing. So here goes! I am thankful: 1. I am not a turkey. Over 100 have died in my name. 2. I can now get drunk on one can of beer. 3. Anytime I want, I can ignore a conversation to go to the bathroom. 4. I can watch old movies and never realize I have seen them already. 5. I can drive as slow as I want. 6. I can actually use the AARP card. 7. My opinions can be as outrageous as I want and the others just say "He’s off his rocker!" 8. I can re-read books and say "I’m just checking my memory!" 9. I can hang up on practically anybody except my wife. 10, I can offer avuncular advice to young people even though I know it is hogwash. 11. I can get into National Parks cheaply. 12. Old people can be cheap and nobody gets excited about it. 13. All politicians are fair game. 14. I will never have to program a VCR again. 15. I can drive an old car and nobody remarks on how ancient it is. 16. We can complain about the "Good Old Days" and nobody can argue against us because they were not born then. 17. We can get as nostalgic as we want. 18. We can cry at shameless dog movies. 19. We can remember when a baseball player hit .400 and when pitchers pitched on two day’s rest. 20. We can offer out opinions on anything to anybody and they listen, out of respect for our age. Printer-friendly version
JINGLE PAWS WALK & MORE DOG-GONE FUN DEC. 4
Printer-friendly version November 10, 2010 (El Cajon)–The Second Annual Jingle Paws Pet Walk and adoption event, sponsored by the ACES Foundation (Animal Center for Education and Services) and Camp Bow Wow, will be held on Saturday, December 4. The event runs 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wells Park, 1153 E. Madison Avenue in El Cajon. Following a brisk 9 a.m. walk around the park, pets and their owners can enjoy Santa’s Village filled with fun pet activities, vendors, goodies, and adoptable pets–just in time for the holidays. Also back by popular demand will be Santa’s Playground, filled with activities for you and your furry friends to include an agility course, dunkin’ for dogs, doggie cake walk, hay bale maze and more. Kids can enjoy pony rides for the kids and a petting area featuring miniature horses and a pot-bellied pig. Shop at craft booths and pet supply vendors offering everything from doggie goodies to practical items for your pet. Have a holiday photo with Santa taken of your pet. In Santa’s Adoption Village you just might find your forever friend. Many local rescue organizations will be on hand with adoptable pets looking for their forever home. Everyone can participate in the walk. If you donate $25, you will receive a People Helping Pets T-shirt, Christmas bandana and goodie bag filled with treats, plus two days at Camp Bow Wow in El Cajon. For $50, receive the T -shirt, bandana and goodie bag plus an ACES bag and three-day warm up to camp package, or two nights of boarding from Camp Bow Wow. Printer-friendly version
READER’S EDITORIAL: PRICE GOUGING BY SDG&E—RESULTS OF DEREGULATING A MONOPOLY: A PARTIAL VICTORY
Printer-friendly version Editor’s note: After receiving a refund for excessive charges to relocate a gas meter, Joel Harrison says he found a new form of overcharging–this time for “estimated” meter readings when his yard was easily accessible to the meter reader. Neighbors were also overcharged, according to Harrison. How many other homeowners were, too? If this has happened to you, please post a comment in the comment section below. By Joel A. Harrison November 16, 2010 (San Diego)–In a previous OpEd published by East County Magazine (ECM) on October 1st, I explained how SDG&E charged me over four times what my plumber would have charged to relocate my gas meter. Thanks to intervention by the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) and ECM publishing my OpEd, a week ago I received a refund for $839 of the $1,599 I paid SDG&E. I consider this a partial victory because SDG&E, as a predatory unregulated monopoly, still received approximately twice what a competitive market would have allowed. However I’ve since found new forms of overcharging by SDG&E. Along with the refund, SDG&E e-mailed me a recalculated bill, which I detail below to show the absurdity of these charges. On October 12, I received a phone call from the CPUC informing me that SDG&E wanted to “settle” my case and would do so if I allowed them to dig a 3’ by 3’ trench in order to test the soil for asbestos. I said “NO!” and followed-up with an e-mail to the CPUC with my OpEd from ECM attached, which CPUC forwarded to SDG&E. I wrote in my e-mail that my plumber said the pipe did not contain asbestos, the original contract did not mention testing the soil, and that if the pipe had contained asbestos, Miramar landfill would have taken it for free after I had a local lab test it for $35. On October 18, I received an e-mail from CPUC stating: “Mr. Harrison, SDG&E recalculated their cost and submitted a new bill…I hope this is more acceptable to you. Please let me know so I can advise SDG&E. Thank you.” Exhausted from battling with SDG&E for almost a year, though still twice what my plumber would have charged, I e-mailed back my acceptance. Below is SDG&E’s letter and recalculated bill: RE: Gas Relocation Service Costs In order to properly account for the recent work performed at your request to relocate your gas service and meter, we have reviewed the actual crew charges for that work. Your original service order billing was calculated to relocate your existing service and remove the portion of service pipe that was de-energized as a result of the relocation. The original service pipe was installed within a period that a coal-tar protective wrap was commonly used to prevent corrosion of our gas line. Samplings of coal-tar wrap have been found to contain asbestos fibers. Our normal process requires that we take four samples of the pipe wrap and have them tested by a certified laboratory. This sampling is performed by an independent, licensed Industrial Hygienist. Due to the short length of pipe involved, SDG&E calculated that it would be more cost effective to just remove the pipe on your property and handle and dispose of it as asbestos containing material. SDG&E sent a gas crew to perform the relocation and removal of the service line and a gas meter man to relocate your existing meter. The daily time for these employees has been reviewed and your relocation costs have been recalculated based on the actual charges to your service work. The gas crew spent 1.5 hours on your job which included 1 hour on site and 1/2 hour in travel from the site where they worked prior to your job. The gas meter man charged 1.1 hours to your service work, which includes his travel time. The relocation of your service and meter cost $760. This is based on a Material cost of $35, Labor of $340, Equipment of $81 and Administrative costs of $302. This cost does not include any removal charges since your plumber offered to dispose of the de-energized gas line. In discussing this job with the crew members, the de-energized pipe was identified by one of our crew members as being a threaded fitting pipe which did not have any wrap. Your plumber also stated that the pipe contained no asbestos material. Prior to having that information we had planned to test the remaining pipe for asbestos containing material and if it had tested positive, we would have surveyed the area of the removed old service pipe to make sure no contamination of your property had occurred. No further testing or field survey will need to be performed. Your original service relocation billing was calculated as $840 for the rerouting of the gas service line and meter relocation and $759 for the removal of the old pipe for a total of $1599. Your final costs are $760 so we will be processing a refund of $839 which you should receive within 30 days. Let’s go through this point by point: 1. The gas meter was located on my property; yet I had to use SDG&E to move it. I have two windows in my bedroom, one behind the bed facing a narrow passage way between the side of my house and fence and one facing my patio. In an emergency I risked landing on the gas meter directly under the latter window, so I decided to move it and replace the window with a door. Not only did the gas meter endanger an emergency exit; but SDG&E’s own safety regulations bar gas meters being under windows. However, this regulation is recent and the location of my gas meter was, thus, “grandfathered” in. 2. SDG&E told me that if I didn’t remove the dead pipe they would place a notation on my property deed that there was asbestos on my property. However, if
TURN OVER A NEW “LEAF”– STATE OFFERS TAX CREDIT FOR PLUG-IN VEHICLES
Printer-friendly version November 12, 2010 (San Diego)–Next month, San Diego will become one of the first and few markets in the country where Nissan will begin selling its plug-in electric vehicle called the Leaf. That model will be joined by the Chevrolet Volt, another plug-in electric vehicle, by year’s end. These models and other plug-in electric vehicles are eligible for a $5,000 tax credit offered by the State of California on a first-come, first-served basis. The program is administered by the California Center for Sustainable Energy and will last until the $4.1 million fund is exhausted. The rebate is available for individuals and business owners who purchase or lease new zero-emission or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Certain zero-emission commercial vehicles are eligible for rebates up to $20,000. To learn more about the state program, visit www.energycenter.org/index.php/incentive-programs/clean-vehicle-rebate-project. In addition, the federal government is offering up to $7,500 rebates for plug-in electric vehicles, and a tax credit of 50 percent of the cost of installing electric vehicle charging equipment at residences or businesses. To learn more about the federal programs, visit www.fueleconomy.gov. Printer-friendly version