What impact would a million solar panel array have on the Owens Valley? The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has proposed such a plan. They call it the Southern Owens Valley Solar Ranch Project. The Draft Environmental Impact Report is out with information about possible impacts.
DWP mailed a notice to local residents and groups to say their DEIR is available at libraries in Bishop, Big Pine, Independence and Lone Pine, plus DWP headquarters in Bishop. The DEIR is also available online at www.ladwp.com/envnotices. The public comment period is open and ends October 18th.
The project would go up on around 1200 acres six miles southeast of Independence and four miles east of Highway 395 opposite the Manzanar Historic Site. DWP says their project would generate 200 megawatts of power which would go into the grid from a transmission line already located near the project site. DWP went on to say that the project would produce about 440 gigawatt hours of renewable energy annually. This would power around 75,000 households, according to DWP. The project would allow LADWP to meet its State-required renewable energy goals.
According to the notice mailed to residents, the proposed project would include the solar panel arrays, supporting electrical equipment, on-site electrical collection cabling, an on-site electrical substation, a maintenance building, and improvement of part of Manzanar Reward Road plus other roadways.
DWP’s notice does say that the project “may result in significant environmental impacts to air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, hydrology and water quality.” The notice goes on to say that best management practices and mitigation measures would mean less than significant impacts. The public can comment through October 18th. Public meetings will be held at 6pm at Statham Hall in Lone Pine September 24th and the Methodist Church in Bishop September 25th.
It is actually a photovoltaic graveyard. To meet the federal requirements for % of renewable energy, LADWP is going to dump these photovoltaics in the desert of the Owens Valley because they own the property there and it is the cheapest and most energy inefficient thing they can do. All… Read more »
We should be embracing this project. It’s time to leave the archaic tree hugging philosophies behind and start building the lesser evils to sustain our planets energy needs. Share the burden. NIMBYS! Which dam do you get power from? 395 goes so close to Manzanar. All that black asphalt. Ugh.… Read more »
Mary,
Why not call them what they are?
“Large Fields of Solar Panels”
Many which are placed in historically undeveloped areas.
I love that they call it a solar ranch. It kinda makes you picture cow pokes, horses, and a cute country house amidst all the plastic, glass, and wire.
😉
Move em’ out, rope em’ up,
Strawhide!
I write about this and I like the term: solar factories.
The term “Ranch” is ment to soften the invironmental impact to ones mind.
When as Mongo said it’s nothing but a big field of solar panels.. I just think Mongo left out the word “ugly”.
You can see examples of what DWP is proposing alongside Hwy 14 just south of Mojave before the exit for Silver Queen Road, and west of Lancaster on Hwy 138. The solar panels are lower than the 6 foot chain link fence surrounding these sites and from three miles aware… Read more »
Until you hike up a bit into the Inyos or Sierra. Ever fly over the area you are speaking of?
What? Are your eyes going to explode if you see solar panels?
Yet you can drive by gas stations all the time without any physical damage. The fear of looking at renewable energy technology is irrational.
Why, Ken? your head gonna explode if you have to hear a point of view other than your own? Given your writings here, I doubt that you listen. I object to this valley being covered with solar panels. DWP is not the only culprit either. The BLM has already asked… Read more »
In essence, I agree with you. I would like an unspoiled planet also. But I have no idea how to serve power to 7 going on 9 billion people without any visual impact on the environment. And it seems to me that visual impact is the least worrisome of all… Read more »
Some fear of “alternative” energy is not irrational. There is a cost for all energy. Making the best choice of energy sources is important, but wise usage is more so. You could cover the earth with solar panels and we would probably want more. Conservation and efficiency are lacking.
I do not fear looking at my toilet, but did not install it in my dining room.
False argument Ken, two wrongs do not make a right.
Empty rejoinder. No context or substantiation. You should do more than just make an empty assertion.
Time to educate yourself, Ken – if you are capable of that. Google solar power installations and damage to habitat. And, I don’t think you read the comments – many people are far from being afraid of looking at renewable energy technology. In fact, they are support installation of solar… Read more »
The objection to the DWP project was it’s impact on the experience at Manzanar. You don’t visit Manzanar from an airplane or from the mountains to the west, you experience it on the ground at the site. From there those solar panels will be essentially invisible, especially if DWP puts… Read more »
Hey DT, The viewscape from Manzanar parking lot is contained in a collection of photos of the proposed project in the Draft EIR Document figures (PHOTOS) 4.2-4 thru 4.2-13. Go to page 4-25 and scroll downward past 4-26, a blank page, to see the project location and views. http://www.ladwp.com/envnotices is… Read more »
Why not use the panels to provide shaded parking at Manzanar, Paiut Palace, and the visitor center?
D.T. Did not mean to come off as curt to your post. Just to point out angles of view other than the valley floor. Just my personal objection from another view.
Not three miles overhead.
I would hope people focus on the LOCAL impacts. If people say, “put solar panels on roofs in LA,” the respose from LADWP will be, “we do; we’ve paid incentives for 6,000 residential rooftop solar installations, with 3,500 pending, and have approved a program to install 100 megawatts of solar… Read more »
Be aware that LADWP and your county supervisors are discussing an MOU that will give away all of Inyo County rights to oppose any aspect of this project. Inyo County passed a renewable energy ordinance in 2010. Los Angeles refuses to recognize its authority, or any authority Inyo may have… Read more »
Yes we need this as a country and as a society since we already know nobody is going to give up any convenience anytime soon. But when as a collective society will we consider other vital life form needs besides our own? The birds and all the other animals that… Read more »
Ladies and gentlemen — start your whinging…..
In fact, Ken. Your remark is a classic whinge. Those of us who educate ourselves and speak out against environmental degradation and injustice are exercising our American rights and responsibilities. Shame on you.
Mary, hey, thanks for teaching me a new word, whinge. A word that means, no less, complaint!
Benett
“Those of us who educate ourselves and speak out ” Where have you been for the last hundred and fifty years? Now you educate yourself and speak out — for the fossil fuel industry — using the classic dodges to hide behind? Talk about late to the party. And Benett… Read more »
Hear what?
BK
Excellent project! Solar power is the wave of the future and will reduce the nation’s dependance upon foreign oil and fossil fuel burning-Obama said that! Of course, my next question is why not place all these solar panels upon the roofs of the houses in LADWP’s service area instead of… Read more »
It would be much better if DWP proposed putting panels of the roofs of their customers in Los Angeles. Yes, it’s a little more work, but it brings the power generation closer to those who use it (more efficient than high-voltage power lines) and brings the CONSEQUENCES of that power… Read more »
Agreed. Solar is best for point of use. Every parking lot (also provides shade for cars) and rooftop in Los Angeles and Owens Valley should be covered before putting up a hideous eyesore in one of the last unmolested vistas in California. This also puts it closer to permanent construction… Read more »