Rio Tinto Will Lay Off 234 in Boron This Month
Kern County town of Boron is home to the U.S. Borax Boron Mine, California’s largest open-pit mine, which is also the largest borax mine in the world. The facility is owned by Rio Tinto and employs about 800. This week a state WARN notice was given that says the company will lay off 234 workers as of November 27,2013.
Borax is used for insulation fiberglass, textile fiberglass and TFT/LCD heat-resistant glass,detergents, soaps and personal care products, ceramic and enamel frits and glazes, ceramic tile bodies and as agricultural micronutrients.
The boron mine is said to supply about half the world’s supply.
Lerdo Jail To Add Almost 200 Jobs
The final EIR is being published this month for the expansion of the Lerdo jail complex near Shafter. The Kern County Sheriff’s Lerdo jail complex, located at 17801 Industrial Farm Road is 2.5 miles east of 99 and 1.5 miles west of State Route 65. The proposed project includes an application for approval of a Conditional Use Permit allow for the expansion of the existing Lerdo Detention Facility adding 26.5 acres.
The Lerdo jail complex encompasses six parcels totaling about 297.6 acres, as well as a 35-acre undeveloped parcel immediately south of Lerdo Highway, portions of which will be used for wastewater disposal. The project would result in a total of 822 new beds for housing inmates, 194 new employees and 47 additional average daily visitors.
Tehachapi Cement Plant Will Stop Using Coal.
The Lehigh Cement Plant near Tehachapi has historically used coal and petroleum coke with a small amount of natural gas as its main fuel sources. Now the use of alternative fuels is proposed in order to reduce air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions from the Lehigh Cement Plant, and to allow the facility operator more flexibility in the sourcing of fuels to make cement.
The plant has been the source of high amount of mercury emissions – harmful to health. The company already has worked to reduce mercury emissions earlier this year with the addition of new technology . Mercury is found in the limestone used to make cement. But mercury is also a byproduct of burning coal that the company brings in from Utah.
But now the company plans to use alternative fuels that should further reduce emissions says the final impact report on their project published this month.
Plans for 135 MW Solar Plant near Bakersfield
Plans has be been filed with Kern County to build a 135 MW solar plant near Highway 58 east of Bakersfield(see map). The proponent is a Folsom,California company,61lk 8me llc.Plans are in the form of a Notice of Preparation ,early in the permitting process.
