County to take stand on massive renewable energy projects
Daily Press|Natasha Lindstrom |April 13, 2010
Spurred by 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, the county's draft position statement addresses alternate ways for developers to conserve habitats and species, such as fencing to protect tortoises from roads instead of closing off thousands of undeveloped acres from future economic development.
Spurred by 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, the county's draft position statement addresses alternate ways for developers to conserve habitats and species, such as fencing to protect tortoises from roads instead of closing off thousands of undeveloped acres from future economic development.
SAN BERNARDINO -- With a recent surge in proposed solar and wind plants on nearby desert land, San Bernardino County supervisors Tuesday are set to adopt an official position regarding their concerns over renewable energy projects.
Spurred by 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, the county's draft position statement addresses alternate ways for developers to conserve habitats and species, such as fencing to protect tortoises from roads instead of closing off thousands of undeveloped acres from future economic development. The position would further seek to protect local infrastructure, such as by administering development impact fees.
The renewable energy projects are largely regulated by state and federal agencies, but the county …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]SAN BERNARDINO -- With a recent surge in proposed solar and wind plants on nearby desert land, San Bernardino County supervisors Tuesday are set to adopt an official position regarding their concerns over renewable energy projects.
Spurred by 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt, the county's draft position statement addresses alternate ways for developers to conserve habitats and species, such as fencing to protect tortoises from roads instead of closing off thousands of undeveloped acres from future economic development. The position would further seek to protect local infrastructure, such as by administering development impact fees.
The renewable energy projects are largely regulated by state and federal agencies, but the county aims to use its position to offer input and guidance over local large-scale projects, including the 4,000-acre Ivanpah solar facility planned near the California-Nevada border.
"These projects have the potential to lock down the entire development" of vast desert space, Mitzelfelt spokesman Andy Silva said. "The position statement gives clear direction to staff when we prepare comments on these projects."