Category: Central Coast

-June 8,2021-

Tulare County-based Bank of the Sierra will close 2 branches in San Luis Obispo County as of June 18 including one location in Arroyo Grande and one in Atascadero. The move will leave the bank with 3 locations in the county – in San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach and Paso Robles.

In April Sierra Bancorp of Porterville said it was planning to permanently close five branches.Besides the SLO County branches, locations in Tehachapi, Sanger and Santa Clarita will shutter.

The $3.3 billion-asset company said in a press release that it will close locations that are outside of its primary market area. The closings, which represent about 12% of the company’s network, will all take place on June 18.

Sierra attributed the decision to “a change in customer behaviors brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic along with an efficiency review.”

Banks have busy closing branches across California this year according to the Comptroller of the Currency. US Bank has shut numerous branches including in Atascadero. B of A has been closing branches as well including in Oakhurst and Atwater. JP Morgan closed this year in Simi Valley and Wells Fargo shut a branch in Ventura.

In other SLO County bank news -The Private Bank has relocated from 711 Tank Farm to 1160 Marsh St in SLO, formerly Wells Fargo Advisors.

Banks closed a record 3,324 branches nationwide in 2020, and opened 1,040, for a net loss of 2,284 branches ,according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Some fear the loss of more brick and mortar locations due to bank mergers and a shift to online banking services during the pandemic.

Large scale project off Morro Bay may be decade off

-June 8,2021-

The wind blows steady off Vandenberg Space Force Base, the new name for the Air Force facility, just announced. While the public’s focus has been on the potential for a space exploration industry growing here, the area’s oceanfront will also play a role in the rollout of the West Coast offshore wind industry and likely sooner than you think.

For the past two years, 2 European firms have been vying to build  the first offshore wind turbines in California on a demonstration basis.

It is here we will most probably see the region’s offshore wind turbines deployed with construction starting in the first quarter of 2023 and producing power for Vandenberg as soon as 2024.

That is the schedule being proposed by one of the two wind power companies – Cierco, proposing to erect four 800-ft wind turbines that will produce 60 megawatts of power in state waters, less than 3 miles out – off Point Arguello.

Cierco, with offices in Scotland, is considered to be ahead in the  competition with a fully detailed plan filed with the state Lands Commission as of last July, ahead of their competitor, France-based Ideol. Ideol has yet to finalize their application to the state body who will lease the seabed.

Staff at the commission says Cierco could begin the formal EIR process of their project, launching this October.

The energy project may be small compared to the more publicized Morro Bay offshore wind project proposed some 30 miles off the Cambria coast in federal waters that would deploy 100 wind turbines producing 1000MW.

The project, stalled for years by US Navy objections, is now on the front burner with the Biden administration who a few weeks ago announced all its agencies including the Dept of Defense are now behind the project – looking to boost renewable energy to fight global warming. Biden tag-teamed with California Governor Newsom designating 399 square miles of ocean off the coast of Morro Bay that will be open for offshore wind projects.

The area to be auctioned off to developers in three sections has the potential to power 1.6 million homes. Unlike the Vandenberg project where the wind turbines would be anchored  to the seabed in relatively shallow state waters, the Morro Bay project would deploy floating wind turbines in 2600 to 3600 feet water depth using what is technology where experience is limited worldwide.

Despite hopes to speed the implementation of California offshore wind energy that clearly – be could be a game changer, complexities of the technology, planning and permitting and the need to bring all stakeholders to the table could make for a long wait for guys who say they are in hurry to save the planet.

With all the press releases recently, estimates of how long it will take to see Morro Bay wind power happen are sobering. The Biden administration says their BOEM agency could lease waters off Morro Bay – but not off Diablo Canyon – as soon as next year. The auction could be lively with 14 developers so far looking to make bids. The company who has done the most groundwork is Castle Winds who has a memo of understanding with the City of Morro Bay and with local fishermen.

What about Diablo waters?

Despite the impending closure of Diablo Canyon, and toned to replace 2000MW of generation -there is no official move to lease waters off this part of the Coast despite plans to retain the grid connection infrastructure that connects to state transmission lines. Announcing a potential wind power auction here too would make sense sooner than later.

Decade off?

Castle Wind CEO Ala Weinstein expects the even after auction results are settled it will still be perhaps 7 years to go through the planning and  permitting issues with an extended construction period to follow.

“You’re probably looking at a decade from next year”- 2032- “until the electrons from offshore wind units will go into the grid,” Weinstein recently told the press.

Up to 7000MW?

Despite the wait,CalPoly’s Reach program  recently suggested an expanded “call area” the could be leased   that  would house up 7,000MW of wind farms off the coast of Morro Bay/perhaps including Diablo offshore area  that could generate up to 1,469 good-paying jobs and $707 million in annual economic impact across the two counties.

They said construction of a specialized wind port would bring its own benefits, according to the Cal Poly study, including a $412 million annual economic impact to SLO and Santa Barbara Counties and 2,411 annual jobs over the 5-year project.

Although the Central Coast will probably not house a major construction port for offshore wind-  it could host a smaller operation that handles maintenance of turbines and shuttles workers out to to the job site – a local working port such as Port San Luis, suggest some.

Walk before you run?

Supporters of the Vandenberg demonstration project say a pilot project completed and in operation for a while years before the large-scale mega-project is built – makes sense, helping to avoid what could be costly mistakes.

In their filing with the state, Cierco says their project –

– Provides an opportunity to understand the required environmental and administrative processes on a “small” scale development.
–  Diversifies the floating wind technology offering for offshore wind in California.
– Reduce risk for offshore wind in advance of the BOEM competitive offshore wind leasing round in California.
– Provide an opportunity for the local supply chain, infrastructure and workforce to build the necessary investment, capacity and learning at a manageable rate in advance of large scale deployment
-Provide an opportunity for the DoD to develop a familiarity of operational interaction with the technology at a scaled level prior to large scale deployment.

Power at their doorstep

Not well appreciated is the importance of Vandenberg’s energy situation including the need for onsite power redundancy and resiliency of this vital military base providing  60 MW of 24 hr power coming ashore by an existing cable to Vandenberg for local use. Already the base relies on its new solar farm for 35% of the base’s power needs. But the sun does not shine for half of that.

With grid uncertainty in the near future amid epic droughts and wildfires grid blackouts, the base’s long-term security seems to require the constancy of wind power as well as energy storage at their doorstep.

Wind speeds off of Pt Arguello and Pt Conception are more impressive than off Morro Bay and expansion in the number of turbines in this sector could happen here too, far beyond these first pilot projects.

-April 2,2021-

A fixture in funky Baywood, Noi’s Little Thai Takeout will reopen April 8 after being shut down since 2019, say the owners, Ron and Noi Miner.

“But just for breakfast” says Ron who says the couple have maintained the lease on the corner property for 27 years at Santa Maria and 2nd St. “There’s no way we can move – we are a historical landmark” adds Ron, only half joking

A few years ago with Noi ailing and fighting cancer, Ron says the family’s lunch and dinner recipes moved a block away to what they call Noi’s and Doi’s 2nd St Cafe has been overseen by Noi’s sister Doi. “It didn’t make sense to keep both places open serving the same food” explains Ron. Business at the 2nd St Cafe is good.

“Now that Noi has been healthy for several years” Ron suggests it is time to reopen the original place but with a twist – serving only breakfast “Thai fusion style.”

“Our Thai food truck without wheels “Ron calls the diminutive but mighty kitchen will have 2 service windows and plenty of outdoor seating as well as a garden patio and decorated dining room next door. The kitchen has been expanded now that all food goes through the service window.

“We’ll have burrito dishes, egg dishes including omelets and Thai waffles” among the offerings. Ron says the plastic ware will be gone and food will be served on”real plates” probably by a member of the extended family.

Noi’s will be open 5 days a week from 7 to 2PM,Thursday-Monday.

Baywood will soon see other new restaurants open up including “Beerwood” right next door on the corner of Santa Maria and 2nd St -this weekend. Also, High Street Deli is close to opening nearby.

Unmanned aircraft will bring 730 personnel to base

-March 17,2021-

The United States Department of the Navy has announced the availability of the Final Environmental Assessment assessing the potential environmental impacts of establishing a home base for a new carrier-based unmanned air system at Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu, California.

This system is known as the MQ- 25A Stingray. The purpose is to base a new West Coast squadron designed to enhance aircraft carrier capability and versatility for the Joint Forces Commander through the integration of a persistent, sea-based, multi-mission aerial refueling and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance unmanned aerial system into the carrier air wing.

The impact reports analyzes the impacts of home basing 20 Stingray air systems and stationing approximately 730 additional personnel plus their family members at Point Mugu; constructing a new hangar, training facilities, and supporting infrastructure; performing air vehicle maintenance; providing training for air vehicle operators and maintainers; and conducting approximately 960 annual MQ- 25A Stingray flight operations.

-March 16,2021-

Alaska Airlines may launch SLO-San Diego and Portland flights in June

Alaska Airlines had previously announced it would start direct flights between San Luis Obispo and San Diego as well as a daily flights to Portland by this time in 2021. But the plans have been postponed.

Now it appears from the airline’s posted ticket sale website that that the soonest you can buy a ticket to either San Diego or Portland on a nonstop flight from SLO is on June 17, 2020. 

Flights to San Diego began in January 2020, but service was suspended, and the start of flights to Portland was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Now the flights can be booked.

Morro Bay Theater weighs sale offer – reopens

Don’t count Morro Bay’s only movie theater out yet. The Bay Theatre, after being closed with big For Sale sign on the marquee- is back -showing feature films again as of last weekend

The real estate firm still marketing the theater says the owner is negotiating with a potential buyer and talks are serious.  Meanwhile the shows are back and Morro Bay is glad

Bank of America building in Morro Bay is for sale

The former Bank of America building at 390 Morro Bay Blvd is for sale at a suggested bid price of $1.5 million. The 8451sf office building also includes a large parking lot all on 0.74 acre.  B of A has requested all bids on the real estate be in by March 19 says broker Brendan McArthur.The bank closed the branch in February 2018. In recent days the bank’s ATM is open at a Sinclair Gas station on the round about.

Los Osos getting new pizza place

Rock-n-Osos Pizza is open in Los Osos in the former Nichol’s Pizza site on LOVR west of Ralph’s . The new eatery is a sister site with the family’s Paso Robles location at Heritage Ranch. Specialty pizzas, gluten free options, plus burgers, sandwiches and much more are on the menu.

Beerwood in Baywood Coming 4/03/ 21

A brew pub is being reborn at the corner of Santa Maria and 3rd St in Baywood in coming weeks. The new name for the restaurant and beer garden  is Beerwood. The location is the same as Baywood Tavern that closed last year. Opens for business 4/03/ 21.

Game Stop closing in Arroyo Grande

The Game Stop store in Arroyo Grande is expected to close later this March,following the closure of the company location in San Luis Obispo last year. The retailer  will still have a store in Paso Robles.

-February 12,2021-

An energy company that pulled a plan to build a battery storage plant in Morro Bay is back with a new proposal — and it’s far more ambitious than the first go-round.
Morro Bay power plant owner Vistra Energy had applied for a permit last year to build a 4-acre, 200-megawatt battery storage plant behind its mothballed power facility. Then last summer, the company withdrew the project from the city — without explanation.
Now it’s back with a new 22-acre project — five times the footprint and triple the power output.
The 600-megawatt battery plant would feature 2400 megawatt-hours of lithium-ion batteries — enough to power 450,000 homes — more than three times the number in San Luis Obispo County.
Biggest project ever
The Texas-based energy company made a presentation to the Morro Bay City Council in late January and is now working on a full environmental impact report for what the city’s top planner, Scot Graham, calls ”the biggest project Morro Bay has ever seen.”
At the new size, the proposed plant would double what is now the largest battery storage plant operating in the United States, Vistra’s Moss Landing energy storage plant, which just went online in December at 300 megawatts with plans to expand.
The proposed Morro Bay plant would add three buildings with a total of 273,000 square feet at the site of the former oil tank farm that was demolished north of the stacks a few years ago.
In their presentation, Vistra officials said they anticipated construction to start in 2022 and last for three to four years. Some 300 construction workers are expected to be onsite during the peak. Once it is operational, the facility would employ 15 people.
The plant is expected to generate $4.5 million in annual property taxes, of which $500,000 would go to Morro Bay. Property taxes are the city’s top revenue source at coincidentally the same number- $4.5 million says the city’s budget 2019/20 analysis.
Graham notes that the Vistra filing was presented only a few weeks ago and the approval process under a full Environmental Impact Report can be lengthy with a number of other agencies like the Coastal Commission having their say.
Graham notes that the city has the main approval role over 98% of the project footprint with the Coastal Commission having only appeal jurisdiction.
Helping to limit objections -the project is being proposed on land that has been used for electric power production. The project is expected to result in little offsite impacts with the possible exceptions of the changed viewscape and significant construction traffic.
Graham says he expects Vistra to stage construction from north of the plant from a Main Street access road rather than impacting tourist traffic on the Embarcadero.
18 month approval process
How extensive an environmental review is expected? For reference, the Moss Landing battery plant was approved by the county on a negative declaration, arguing it would not pose any significant impacts on the environment. Like Morro Bay, the battery storage facility was built on existing industrial land.
Graham says the city is waiting on renderings of how impactful the new industrial buildings will appear from various parts of town.The 3 buildings are expected to be around 40 feet tall. The existing power plant building is 5 stories -about 70 feet.
How long before this project is ready to build? Graham says he would expect an approval process of about 18 months.
What happens to the stacks?
Graham said Vistra’s interest in enhancing its investment in Morro Bay has raised questions in a few forums held in town over one particular question: What will happen to the idled power plant building and the three stacks?
The building has little use, as it was constructed in 1953 and is “full of asbestos,” Graham said, adding that demolition could cost $20 million.
So what happens to the stacks? Sentiment in the community seems to be evenly divided over whether they should stay or go says Graham.
As for where the power to be stored in the batteries will come from, Graham noted that California has an excess of both solar and wind energy in daytime hours, while the state is often short of power at night when the sun goes down and the wind lets up.
The energy storage plant would be connected to the grid through the PG&E substation and existing transmission lines back to the San Joaquin Valley. Those lines would transfer power from the many big renewable facilities inland back to Morro Bay in the day, to be metered out to California homes at night.
California wants battery storage to provide greater stability and reliability for the state’s power grid. State residents recently suffered another round of rolling blackouts, prompting calls to add more power storage to even out shifting loads. The California Public Utilities Commission has mandated utilities contract for more storage plants.
Offshore wind connection
Another potential energy source that could use the plant is offshore wind. International companies are competing to build off the San Luis Obispo County’s North Coast, led by Trident Energy’s proposal for a 1,000-megawatt turbine farm.
Graham said Vistra and Trident have discussed how their two renewable energy projects could complement each other.
Both the State of California and U.S. government are now on the same page wanting to promote these non-fossil fuel energy sources, suggesting Vistra’s new application is surfacing at the right time even as it lessens its investment in the oil and coal business.
Another plus: The cost of these lithium batteries has been falling dramatically.
One study says since 2010 the cost of a lithium-ion battery per kilowatt hour (kWh) has fallen almost 90%, from $1,183 in 2010 to $156 in 2019. That could drop to $100 in 2021.

-January 11,2021-

James Haleski, 30th Civil Engineer Squadron chief of readiness and emergency management, and Dr. Paul Vu, 30th Medical Group chief of aerospace medicine, receive COVID-19 vaccinations, Jan. 6, 2021, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Haleski and Vu were were among the first to be inoculated against COVID-19 as part of Operation Fight Back. (U.S. Space Force photo by Michael Peterson)

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. —

The 30th Medical Group administered its first round of COVID-19 vaccinations Jan. 6 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

The Department of Defense distributed the vaccine to Vandenberg AFB and other select locations as part of Operation Warp Speed, the nation’s initiative to safely and efficiently vaccinate the American public.

“It’s a very exciting and historic day that we were able to get the COVID-19 vaccine here,” said Col. Jessica Spitler, 30th Medical Group commander.

With vaccinations in hand, the 30th MDG began their part by installing a five-station point of distribution system at the medical facility to begin the local campaign dubbed Operation Fight Back.

“The Medical Group is doing a fantastic job of giving the vaccine to all of our eligible beneficiaries,” said Spitler. “I’m excited to see the end of this pandemic and this is our first step on fighting back!”

Vandenberg will continue to administer the vaccine over the next few months, following the DoD COVID-19 vaccine plan to ‘implement a phased, standardized and coordinated strategy for prioritizing, distributing and administering COVID-19 vaccines to protect our people, maintain readiness, and support the national COVID-19 response.’

“It’s a good day,” said Airman 1st Class Douglas Moore, one of the medical workers administering the first group of vaccinations. “I’m excited about the vaccine rolling out, getting it as early as we are and what it means for the status of social life in the country.”

In accordance with the DoD phased approach, the first round of vaccinations at Vandenberg were administered to medical workers and prioritized personnel, and will expand to include more groups in subsequent rollouts.

Although the vaccine is not mandatory, it is recommended by the 30th Medical Group to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“I did have reservations,” said A1C Moore about getting the vaccine. “After reading the Pfizer study and doing a little research, I decided that the benefits outweigh any risks. I decided to go ahead and get it.”

-January 9,2021-
A post holiday surge in new COVID-19 cases at the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo now tops the state prison facilities count. Just under 1000 CMC inmates and 186 staff have tested positive for the coronavirus in the past 14 days. Figures are as of January 8. The number of staff infected is also the highest of any state prison in the past 2 weeks.

The men’s prison holds about 3000 inmates.Statewide some 5000 inmates in California prisons have come down with the virus in the past 2 weeks says the state website with CMC COVID cases making up 1 out of 5.

The surge is adding to the run-up in COVID cases across San Luis Obispo County. Ready SLO says active cases of COVID-19 in the general population have climbed from 880 as of December 1 to 3072 as of January 8-more than a three-fold increase over the holidays.

Vaccine clinics have started at most state institutions and by next week all facilities will have started to vaccinate per state and federal guidelines in phase one says the California Department of Corrections.
Attachments area

-December 22,2020

Teen clothing retailer American Eagle Outfitters women’s clothing store Aerie is coming to San Luis Obispo’s Madonna Plaza in coming weeks. The company has received a $271,000 building permit to remodel some 3718 sf at 261 Madonna Rd, a vacant storefront between PetCo and Best Buy. The permit was issued December 7. American Eagle Outfitters is  the parent company of Aerie who sells intimate apparel.

American Eagle has nearly 1000 stores  nationwide with the closest location in Santa Barbara and in the San Joaquin Valley.More typically a mall store, the retailer is choosing Madonna Plaza here.

The brand targets male and female university and high school students, although older adults also wear the line.

The company stock has been on the upswing lately as its online sales have been performing well and it appears that its brick and mortar locations should improve sales in 2021 as more people are vaccinated.

The company delivered strong consolidated digital sales growth of 29%, accounting for 37% of total revenues in third-quarter fiscal 2020. Management recently introduced the same-day delivery option for online orders

Founded in 1977, the retailer is headquartered in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

-December 11,2020-

California’s never ending drought is continuing well into December. The last time it rained in Hanford was  April 20 -almost 8 months ago. But now weather models are reporting a glimmer of hope for the Christmas/Hanukkah season in middle California.

The first of several storms is a brining wet weather to northern California and snow to Tahoe including a light amount as far south as the Tulare County mountains over the next few days says NWS Hanford.

Here is the 7 -day NOAA forecast showing a welcome dose of precipitation for Northern California down as far south as Tulare and SLO counties.