March 5, 2019 Board Meeting

[Al Morrissette]

[Bob C]

Did everyone notice that the One Town at a Time is asking the CSD to write a letter of support, so they can build electric generating windmills on the ridges around town?

Look about half way down, starting with the 24th page of the document:
https://wrightwoodcsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/regular-Board-Meeting-Packet-march-5-2019.pdf

[KW]

Interesting. So even though the CSD has no control over this process, it could be construed that the CSD represents the town/village in regards to supporting or not supporting the windmill venture. My questions and comments:

 - Would the CSD (and indirectly the town) receive any clear benefit from providing a letter of support? If not, why would the CSD feel they need to provide a letter of support? Goodwill between entities aside, would the CSD provide letters of support to other non-profits when asked? This could be setting a precedent.
 - Would the power generated by this/these windmills help with power outages like we've had recently in town? I thought SCE did a lot of upgrades, and we didn't lose power with that last storm, which was super strong.
 - Who would get these electric cars? What other sustainability measures might be implemented?
 - I'm not against green energy. But I probably have that "not in my backyard" attitude if you can see or hear it from my home.
 - I'm concerned that once you receive approval for one or more, then it may expand beyond what might be ideal visually for this town.

[Bob C]

[KW]

And as I read the proposed letter on CSD letterhead... "generating electricity to be sold to SCE"... is not the same as what the letter says. The letter makes it seem like this would provide "...a solution amid continuous disruption in electrical servicing in the community". How would generating more power solve the outages? The outages were not due to a shortage of electricity. I don't have an engineering mind, so maybe I'm missing something?

Again, not against green energy. Just not sure where these windmills would be on our ridges...

[Bob C]

Exactly KW!  And you watch... many people will start asking "does this mean no more electric bills for me?"

[Iris]

The beginning of exactly what I predicted and why I voted against the CSD formation. Not surprised at all. Not against green energy either, but all for transparency.

[tlc]

What is a Sunshine Ordinance?

[KW]

Sunshine laws are regulations requiring openness in government or business. Sunshine laws make meetings, records, votes, deliberations and other official actions available for public observation, participation and/or inspection.

[lwt42]

- Would the power generated by this/these windmills help with power outages like we've had recently in town? I thought SCE did a lot of upgrades, and we didn't lose power with that last storm, which was super strong.

This is the part that bothers me.

If the outages are between the substation and the customer, then a redundant feed at the substation won't help that problem.

The last outage we had (west of Acorn on Edna) was a pole or transformer issue at Cedar and Edna.  The substation had power.

That's just one example, but I think a proper study would show that most outages happen between the substation and our homes.

[tcaarabians]

This piece discusses San Bernardino County limiting large solar projects. It is tangentially relevant to this discussion.

https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-san-bernardino-solar-renewable-energy-20190228-story.html

The points made previously in this thread address the fact that the proposed project would not address service disruptions as claimed. There are no supporting materials to substantiate the revenue claim or that a wind study supports the concept.

I recall the discussion about this or a similar concept when WW was considering its CSD. I'm not in WW or the jurisdiction of its CSD. I do support communities looking at what can be done at the local level to enhance passive energy production to offset carbon emissions, etc.  At this point, you're being asked for a letter of support for a project that may or may not be a good idea. I'd want to answer that question before I supported it moving forward.  Cheryl o7o

[alfa63]

[ChrisLynnet]

The letter from 2011 is pretty darning, and I can't imagine what has changed -- the geography sure hasn't. Why are they pushing it again now?

[Bob C]

Why are they pushing it again now?

My opinion?  District ranger Blount has since passed away, and the new CSD has One Town supporters on the board

[Wes Zuber - WWCSD]

Sunshine laws are regulations requiring openness in government or business. Sunshine laws make meetings, records, votes, deliberations and other official actions available for public observation, participation and/or inspection.

In this specific case it is on the Agenda in order to possibly change the standard meeting time, which is now 7pm on the first Tuesday of the month. There was some concern about the start time from one of the board members about that start time and wanting to move it to sometime earlier in the evening. In order to move the standard meeting time the Sunshine ordinance would need to be modified.

Although it may seem cumbersome the Sunshine laws are designed to shed light on these official decisions, mundane as they might be.

Regards,

--Wes

[Wes Zuber - WWCSD]

If the outages are between the substation and the customer, then a redundant feed at the substation won't help that problem.

Sometimes they are and sometimes it is from secondary feed going down at the substation. At least that's what I understood in listening to SCE give their presentation in a meeting right before a CSD meeting.

Regards,

--Wes

[lwt42]

Sometimes they are and sometimes it is from secondary feed going down at the substation. At least that's what I understood in listening to SCE give their presentation in a meeting right before a CSD meeting.

Regards,

--Wes

Hi Wes,

When the power is out for a while, I get bored, and I go looking for the trucks.  It's either that or sit in a cold house.

The most recent outage at our house had SCE working on a pole at Cedar and Edna.

I don't know if SCE produces a "Reason for Outage" document of some kind, but it'd tell us if the problem is at the substation or beyond it.

I think we should know what the problem is before a fix is proposed.

-- Lynn

[Wes Zuber - WWCSD]

Exactly KW!  And you watch... many people will start asking "does this mean no more electric bills for me?"

Let's face it, electricity is going up seemingly everyday. I know that SCE is intent on upgrading their network of failing poles in high fire danger areas so they can avoid the PG&E scenario.
More than ever we are dependent on electricity, finding more efficient and less impactful ways of generating it are in all of our best interests, I think there is no question that we can agree on that. I see no end in sight for SCE raising their prices.. the San Francisco centered PUC in will go along with whatever SCE says.

I wish we could all decide to all put solar on our roofs, but we love our trees also.. we must get the electricity generated elsewhere delivered to us. Right now there is no competition at all, only SCE and what they decide. I would prefer competition as it does wonders in solving so many problems exactly like this one.


Regards,

--Wes

[KW]

Wes, do you feel the proposed letter of support accurately reflects the reason for the project? If the board chooses to proceed with it's recommendation, can the letter be edited to state that it is the voice of the CSD board and not necessarily the community? Although I thought the CSD is supposed to represent the community....

[Wes Zuber - WWCSD]

Wes, do you feel the proposed letter of support accurately reflects the reason for the project? If the board chooses to proceed with its recommendation, can the letter be edited to state that it is the voice of the CSD board and not necessarily the community? Although I thought the CSD is supposed to represent the community....

I don't have any reason to doubt the accuracy or the intentions of the letter, unless I'm missing something (always possible).
The elected board does represent the community by definition. It's a given that some of the community agree and some disagree.

Regards,

--Wes