A group that started with a handful of people when the Water Agreement with DWP came up in the early 80s, attracted more than 150 to the Mountain Light Gallery on Saturday. The Owens Valley Committee stands as one of the only citizens’ groups in Inyo County that has fought, sometimes in court, to protect Owens Valley environment.
Long-time members and supporters were there along with some officials, although no County Supervisors were spotted. The event was the Committee’s major fundraiser for the year. A silent auction took place and Metabolic Studio had agreed to match funds raised – hopeful news for a group that functions solely on donations.
Past President of OVC, Alan Bacoch, spoke briefly and handed the microphone to new President Mary Roper, Inyo’s former County Clerk and long a fighter for the environment and ethical government. The crowd took a seat to watch a short film on the Owens Valley Committee, featuring some of its members and their feelings about the importance to fight for what we have in the Valley.
The featured speaker was Bill Powers, a San Diego engineer and team member of Solar Done Right, which is described as a “coalition of public land activists, solar power and electrical engineering experts, biologists and others who view with concern the rush to develop our few remaining wildlands for industrial solar energy.” This same issue has recently concerned the Owens Valley Committee and many others who now witness Inyo County’s attempt to put in writing 14 planned areas for industrial solar.
Mr. Powers’ mantra includes conservation of energy, generation of renewable energy at or near the point of use, and generation of renewable energy on a larger scale within the already built-up environment. The How to Do Solar Right website says, “We contend that a mixture of these techniques can meet our electrical energy needs without the need for large remote concentrating solar projects.” In his talk at Saturday’s event, Powers pointed out that California has set renewable energy goals for utilities and others. He also pointed to the fact that government subsidies have encouraged large-scale solar.
Powers and his organization strongly encourage rooftop development on warehouses, parking lots and other available and developed city areas. He said this method is actually more cost effective. Powers said Inyo County could look at a rooftop development and generate enough power for its own uses.
As for fighting plans by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Mr. Powers said the story has to be pitched in LA. He said Mayor Garcetti campaigned on expanding LA’s rooftop solar development which could take the place of industrial solar in the Owens Valley.
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The OVC fundraiser demonstrated the immense passion and power that can be generated when we pull together giving us all hope for the future of the Valley. Bill Powers made the case for distributive renewable energy with Germany as an example of what can be accomplished. Now, we need to convince our elected officials that they must reduce the number, size and placement of Renewable Energy Development Areas to preserve the open lands we have. Already disturbed land and areas closer to the point of use appears to be no brainer. Wouldn’t it be ideal to produce enough solar for our own consumption. I believe solar begins at home!
PS I haven’t seen this much energy output since we fought for the Wilderness Omnibus Bill in 2009!
The Chair of the chairs brought the truck , We moved 140 chairs to the Gallery, every one was filled and many more people were standing . The music played, gifted minstrels, Food on the table, never enough when it’s so good , the Gallery and the Art in the room. Photography, the Art of the vision of eyes and soul to share . Dedicated purpose and a willing Community and Individuals who shared the room and shared a vision of sustainable existence and the preservation of the Earth, of the Inyo. Was it World Water Day?
Bill Powers did the 2 day turn around from San Diego . Only dedicated skiers, boarders ,fishermen, hikers, climbers, desert lovers , riders of 395 brave that timeframe. Mr. Powers has offered our Valley some novel approaches to this evolved vision of sustainable renewable energy generation. He came a long way and shared a hard worn realization that distributed renewable energy generation was the better approach, the better economic solution , the sustainable idea that there has to be a long term and a logical process to consider when the obvious choice of renewable energy is balanced with how the effect and consequences of each and every project proposal becomes sustainable. Mr. Powers could be dedicated to dollars for his own enrichment but the Earth and this Valley sustain all of us with riches that dollars can’t match . Thank you Mr. Powers and the OVC . Thank You to all the past Chairs of the chairs. Every task into the final product of harmoney to the minstrel song of joy in the world of it’s people and places, the best to be each to each other , the best to be to this Valley our home , every task is important , every task is vital .
April 1st, 2014 in Independence can not be a Fools Day. Ideas on that day will need to be carefully considered . Ideas and decisions on that day must have solutions ,must consider the best solutions for a future of the Inyo .