Labor Group Demands New Study Of Solar Facility Here
Arizona-based First Solar wants to build a 125 MW solar facility on Hwy 198 across the road from NAS Lemoore.Formerly known as GWF Energy’s Henrietta Solar proposed in 2010, the development now carries the name American Kings Solar. First Solar acquired the right to build the project in 2015. Now the 966 acre solar farm will be the subject of a public hearing June 6 at a planning commission meeting.
The meeting will take up a request by a labor group – CURE – demanding the county make the applicant redo their EIR study because some modifications of the original plan have been made.The union-based group’s lawyers sent in 33 pages of comments arguing why a new study was needed backed by 671 pages of exhibits.
The planning commission is being asked to approve the existing environmental study that county staff argue needs no update to be adequate, rejecting CURE’s assertions. Modifications are minor the staff suggests, including the plan to run sheep between the solar panels to keep the grass down. First Solar now plans to build the project faster, in 15 months rather than 35. CURE lists its county members as Howard Hite, Brandon Perez, Tikiyie Brooks, Deborah Parrent, Edgardo Orapa and Phonie Orapa, and California Unions for Reliable Energy (“CURE”) and its local affiliates, and the affiliates’ members and their families, as well as other individuals who live, work and recreate in Kings County. CURE describes itself as “ a coalition of labor organizations whose members construct, operate, and maintain conventional and renewable energy power plants throughout California.Since its founding in 1997, CURE has been committed to building a strong economy and a healthier environment.”
Critics say otherwise charging that the union group ”exploits the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and other environmental laws to delay proposed projects. Their objective is to coerce developers to hand over monopoly control of the construction to unions through a Project Labor Agreement. The CEQA abuse racket is called “greenmail,” and it is rampant throughout California.”
In 2012 Recurrent Energy signed a project labor agreement with CURE for the 160 MW Mustang project in Kings County.
Whatever the case the county is expected to approve the project as is and allow a 3-year extension of the conditional use permit. Planners say First Solar is eager to begin construction.The solar farm will be in good company surrounded by the existing Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) Henrietta Substation and the existing Henrietta 95-Megawatt (MW) Peaker Power Plant. The proposed Mustang, Orion, and Kent South Solar Projects are located on the west side of 25th Avenue, and the Westside Solar Project is located at the southwest corner of 25th Avenue and Avenal Cutoff Road.
CalTrans To Build Two New Roundabouts
CalTrans has finalized environmental documents for two new roundabout, traffic circles, to be built in the county. One would be built at the intersection of 198,Hanford Armona Rd and 13the Ave, near Hanford.That project is scheduled to be built in 2018 A second project is also nearing construction at at SR 43 and SR 137,near Corcoran that will be built starting this fall.
CST California Stations Inc Layoffs In Hanford
Convenience store operator CST California Stations Inc has been sold off to 7-Eleven according to company officials. The Hanford-based corporate office will be closed with layoffs of around 10. The 70 plus stations in California will be not be closing but will be rebranded as 7-Elevens. The parent company is Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd., is located in Tokyo.The existing stores now operate as The Corner Store that had been spun off by Valero.
Almond Producers Stay Profitable Despite Lower Almond Prices Says Report
Valley economist Vernon Crowder of Rabobank offers some hope for almond producers in his May 25 report. A larger than anticipated crop and reduced purchases from many buyers has fueled a rapid decline in price this year – down 50% from last year. Some sales of almonds abroad have unraveled as buyers were reluctant to pay the higher contracted price, leaving the almonds dockside, forcing sellers to find another buyer in the specific region to avoid returning shipment costs. This unprecedented situation has seen the price for almonds fall from historical highs and reset the price for the incoming crop closer to the 10 year average says Crowder, senior analyst with Rabobank. “California almond growers expect a two billion pound crop this fall as is projected by the USDA – which is about twice as much as produced 10 years ago. More plentiful harvests and now lower prices will again encourage more consumption of almonds,” assures Crowder. Actual demand for almonds is expected to continue growing globally, as well as domestically.
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