Eastern Sierra News
Written by Benett Kessler Tuesday, 01 December 2009 17:12
DWP Chief David Freeman
Freeman’s ambitious plan went before the LA Water and Power Commissioners Tuesday. He proposed a 50 megawatt solar demonstration project that would cost $300 million. Annual operating costs, $1.7 million. The preliminary schedule assumes a State Lands Commission lease concluded this month, construction started by July of 2010, production of electricity by April of 2011 and project completion by January of 2012.
Freeman’s proposal assumes that the project would go forward with what is called a categorical exemption under environmental law.
Air Pollution Control District Director Ted Schade and his staff knew nothing about Freeman’s plan. Schade said, “Solar panels are not currently an approved dust control measure.” Schade said a couple of weeks ago DWP indicated plans for a pilot project on five DWP acres while testing various aspects of solar panels. Now, if the Commission says okay, DWP will try to steam roll ahead with a mega project.
On a Los Angeles TV interview Freeman had pointed to the Mayor’s edict to provide 20% of LA’s power from renewable sources by 2010. Privately, some believe that Freeman will go to the highest levels in Sacramento to get his big plan underway.
Local officials were mystified considering the vague, general talk Freeman gave them a couple of weeks ago in a series of private meetings in Bishop.
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written by Harold B. Myers , December 02, 2009
written by Harold B. Myers , December 02, 2009
It would seem to me that there is more at stake here than meets the eye. The first question is why did Freeman not disclose and discuss ALL of the DWP ideas and plans at the meetings he had with the County people. In my limited knowledge of DWP operations my personal opinion with DWP is that they often have done one thing and said another. My Father worked for the Edison Company years ago and would have comments then about the DWP.
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written by john , December 02, 2009
written by john , December 02, 2009
Careful what you ask for folks. Everyone is jumping on the Green Energy bandwagon, how can you say no to a project like this? It takes care of three things, it controls the dust that Mr. Schade has been fighting for so many years (how can he complain what is used to control the dust, as long as it is controlled), it uses less water than what DWP is doing now, and it provides a green source of energy.
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written by Eastern Sierran , December 02, 2009
written by Eastern Sierran , December 02, 2009
I would be worried but for four words: CEQA. Thanks in no small part to Andrea Lawrence and her crew, CEQA applies equally to public and private projects. This project, as proposed, will never make it through the public process. No judge worth his salt will agree to allow the processing of a 660 acre project as Categorically Exempted. The guy's idea is as laughable as his hat.
Thanks Andrea!
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Thanks Andrea!
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written by jeff , December 07, 2009
written by jeff , December 07, 2009
excuse me but this idea is not Mr Freeman's...I beg to differ! This idea has been in the works for well over a year and Mr Freeman's plan has several material omissions and will never move forward until broader interests are considered in any energy project...a project that does not depend on DWP or any one entity!... I have been publicly advocating for well over three years that any project incorporated on owens lake will require special considerations and factors beyond the scope of DWP...I look forward to the upcoming public review process to discuss how a solar project might be approved for the lake! I know that the DWP which caused the pollution problems on the lake in the first place will need to build consensus of many organizations before they can go forward with the project all on their own!
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anyone else likes it or not. The more you try to work with them, the more they
stick it to you. They tell you what you want to hear, then do something completely different.