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By R. Person
March 27, 2019 (Jacumba Hot Springs) -- Residents of the sleepy 1930s resort town Jacumba Hot Springs are awakening to the realities of a massive solar project planned for the edge of town on a site previously dedicated to a walled equestrian housing project.
The solar project, aka JVR (Jacumba Valley Ranch solar, a 90 MW project on 1,345 acres, is well into its planning stages, yet residents are being asked to voice their opinions at meetings, and submit their concerns in writing, as Phase 1 of 6 is under way. JVR Energy Park, a project of German Bay Ware, would be located at the very East end of the town of Jacumba Hot Springs, abutting the main residential area.
The scenario is similar to that of the proposed wind turbine project in nearby Boulevard, with its 500+ foot high towers, flashing red lights, perceived electromagnetic hazards and similarly disgruntled local opinions. Other such wind developments, as in Ocotillo to the east, have had residents complain ofindifference to their objections over noise, electromagnetic pollution, impact on wildlife and property values, and visual disturbances related to the battery of flashing red lights which accompany the wind turbines. The meetings where they can voice their concerns, and their written submissions detailing those concerns, are deemed delay tactics that residents contend give a false optimism that residents are being heard.
A meeting on March 21st at Jacumba’s Highland Community Center attracted a healthy turnout of approximately 50 locals who raised concerns about several issues in regard to placing this large solar development so close to their homes. That’s nearly 10% of the town’s population, which measured 561 in the 2010 census.
One attendee commented, “Almost every chair was filled. Nobody actually said they were for the project.” Concerns raised included:
- the project could cause serious impacts on the water supply
- land values would go down
- whether there is a real need for the project
- potential impact on weather temperatures
- negative impacts on views and wildlife
- potential fire threat and whether there would be enough fire personnel, equipment, and supplies to suppress fires
- how long would project would last
- what’s in it for Jacumba residents, such as jobs?
Each of the concerns was brought up at the meeting, but opponents to the project were asked to also put their opinions in writing and submit thembefore the next meeting April 8 at 2 p.m. in the Jacumba Community Center.
This meeting mirrored an August meeting in Boulevard where residents were asked to express their concerns about the proposed 30 wind turbines of 500+feet tall.
East County is part of a planned Energy Corridor, according to United Nations Agenda 21, an action plan of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development which was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. It is a global plan purported to be related to “sustainable development” but opponents of Agenda 21 label it a stealth program in progressall over our country and the rest of the world.
178 governments (including the United States) voted to adopt the program at the original Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, but the plan has had outspoken opponents who call it an attempt by the UN to control people and resources throughout the world under the guise of environmental and population concern. It has also been called a Depopulation Agenda, and has been tied to events such as the recent devastating fires that have plagued Northern and Southern California rural communities.
The next meeting for the project will be April 8 at 2 p.m. Questions can be sent to bronwyn.brown@sdcounty.ca.gov.
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