In his latest "Boiling Point" newsletter, Los Angeles Times' climate and environment writer Sammy Roth summarizes some of the environment and climate-related bills passed by California legislators and awaiting Governor Newsom's signature or veto. For each bill Roth describes context, what the bill would do, and lists supporters and opponents. SB 1374 regarding net energy metering on rooftop solar was noted in MBCA's June 10 eblast. Other bills relate to water and environmental justice issues, also of ongoing concern to MBCA.

A new YouTube video explores the history of protection for Joshua trees and the controversially approved destruction of 4000 Joshua trees for the Aratina Solar Project in Kern County. 

Joining with 113 state and national organizations, MBCA signed onto a letter in support of California's AB 59, a bill which would mandate that future electrical vehicles be bi-directional, providing a source of power to households when needed. As noted in our June 24 Eblast, "With the many recent setbacks to rooftop solar, this legislation would serve to encourage rooftop solar and micro-grid DG generation, while providing resilience to our increasingly stressed electrical grid."

Once again, plans are being evaluated for expansion of industrial-scale solar. MBCA's  letter to the BLM with comments on amendments to the Western Solar Plan emphasizes our support of Alternative 5, limiting projects to areas described as "Previously Disturbed Lands and Transmission Proximity." Another of our concerns is the lack of clear definitions in terminology describing "disturbed lands" or "well-sited" areas. We also ask for a pause on certain projects undergoing the Variance Review process.

MBCA's comment letter on the proposed 184-acre E Solar Project in 29 Palms questions some aspects of the plan and cites concerns with fugitive dust, lack of local air monitoring sites, and destroying the area's carbon sequestration value, illustrated with photos and maps. The document contains links to scientific data sources, and also references documents including 1) the report "Why do birds crash into solar panels?", 2) "California Desert's Role in 30x30: Carbon Sequestration and Biodiversity," and 3) a group comment letter with concerns about California's land classification explained in this recent MCBA News Post.

If expanded as planned, the Easley Solar Project would surround the small Lake Tamarisk Community in Desert Center, negatively affecting every aspect of their lives including air quality, views, and wildlife passage. The community has offered alternative suggestions to the developers to allow them some relief and MBCA has sent a letter in support of their plan. Read more in this article in the Coachella Valley Independent.

MBCA's October 23 comment letter about the proposed Easley Solar Project near Lake Tamarisk and Desert Center explains how the proposal will add to the already excessive dust problems in current projects nearby, affecting residents' health and violating concepts of environmental justice. Additionally and critically, undisturbed desert land provides carbon sequestration that has far more value and far less harm than scraping more desert for industrial scale solar. 

With extensive research support, the Inland Deserts Working Group (IDWG) that is connected with the California Natural Resources 30x30 planning process has produced Nature Based Solutions - Desert Sector, a report to the state recommending "conserving 100% of undisturbed non-military public lands annually based on current levels, starting in 2024." Two MBCA Board members on the IDWG believe that this document is a definitive report proving the high value of the undisturbed desert in achieving California's climate change goals. 

MBCA's comment letter to the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District summarizes the serious particulate matter issues (excessive dust) that result from large scale solar developments and requests that such situations be directly addressed in the agency's proposed Rule 401. "Currently neither the MDAQMD, or the County of San Bernardino Land Use Services require or, act upon knowledge of the soils and the hazard of blowing dust."