McCain Valley

COUNTY PLANNERS VOTE TO DENY TULE WIND INDUSTRIAL WIND TURBINES ON PRIVATE LANDS

By Miriam Raftery

June 9, 2012 (San Diego) – By a unanimous vote, San Diego's Planning Commission voted Friday to deny Iberdrola Renewables’ application for five 492-foot-tall wind turbines on private land under county jurisdiction.


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SIG ALERT ON I-8 NEAR BOULEVARD: RESCUE IN PROGRESS AT CRASH SITE

 May 21, 2012 (Boulevard) – A medical helicopter is en route to an accident on I-8 east near State Route 94 in the Boulevard/McCain Valley area.  Three victims are trapped with extrication in process, Incident Page Network Reports.  A Sig Alert has been ordered, according to the CHP website.


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ECM EDITOR ON “WIND WISE” RADIO SHOW


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SAN DIEGO PLANNING COMMISSION POSTPONES DECISIONS ON TULE WIND AND COUNTY WIND ORDINANCE

Staff recommends denial of Tule Wind turbines on County lands

By Miriam Raftery

May 21, 2012 (San Diego) – A decision on two controversial wind issues have been postponed by San Diego County’s Planning Commission. 

A proposed wind ordinance as well as changes to the Boulevard community plan have been delayed until July 20.  In addition, planners heard public comments on the Tule Wind project proposed for McCain Valley, but postponed a decision until June 8, due to the absence of two planners.

Without changes to the wind ordinance, any approval of industrial-scale turbines would violate county height requirements in rural areas. Thus approval of Tule Wind turbines on County lands June 9 appears unlikely.


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A WALK THROUGH THE WIND FARM WITH IBERDROLA

By Miriam Raftery

April 15, 2012 (McCain Valley) –Winds of change are blowing in McCain Valley, where Iberdrola Renewables hopes to build the 200 megawatt (MW) Tule Wind energy facility that could power an estimated 60,000 homes.  


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ADVOCATES OF ROOFTOP SOLAR RAISE VOICES IN PROTEST OVER INDUSTRIAL-SCALE DESERT SOLAR AND WIND PROJECTS

  

Story by Terry Weiner and Miriam Raftery

Videos by Jim Pelley

March 15, 2012 (Holtville)--Early Wednesday, rooftop solar activists and desert conservationists from Imperial Valley and San Diego County  convened outside the Barbara Worth Resort—site of the Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation's three-day Renewable Energy Summit and Expo.

Protesters oppose tax credits going to giant energy companies and called for similar incentives to help property owners put solar on their roofs. They also objected to their viewpoint being excluded by conference coordinators. Participants voiced concerns over negative impacts of industrial-scale wind and solar projects. In some cases, wind turbines have been abandoned, left as rusting blights on the landscape. Other concerns include destruction of habitat for wildlife, noise, health impacts, loss of agricultural lands, and destruction of recreational areas on public lands.


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JACUMBA: A TOWN SURROUNDED

 

How many massive energy projects are too many for one rural community to absorb?

“They want to put these all out here, because we’re throwaway country people.” – Howard Cook

By Mia Myklebust and Miriam Raftery

February 16, 2012 (Jacumba) – Walking along the shores of Lake Jacumba, it’s clear that Howard Cook has big dreams for his community.  Chairman of the Lake Restoration Committee, he has wrested a pledge from the Audubon Society to restore the once-dry lake.

“We want to have fishing, boating, and recreation,” he says.  Cook is working with others who dream of “making this another Taos—art, wildlife, hiking, Indians and birds.”

But there’s trouble on the horizon.  Multiple industrial-scale wind and solar farms soon stand to surround this tiny town, jeopardizing its most cherished natural treasures. Sites include publicly owned recreation lands, notably a spectacular scenic gorge known to locals as “our Grand Canyon,” Cook points out.

Jacumba is a proverbial canary in the coal mine—a warning of what other publicly-owned preserves and rural communities across America may soon face. 


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SDG&E SUSPENDS PILOTS AFTER THREE NEW ENCROACHMENTS OF EAGLE NESTS


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HUNTER FOUND DEAD IN MCCAIN VALLEY


January 16, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Richard Bradley Smith, 61, was found dead this morning by San Diego Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers. Smith had become separated from friends while fowl hunting in the McCain Valley area of Boulevard, near Cottonwood Campground. He resided in San Diego with his wife.


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GOLDEN EAGLES FACE EXTINCTION IN U.S. AS NUMBERS PLUMMET, NEW STUDIES REVEAL

“Wind farms are the main cause. The issuing of license to kill will accelerate the decline toward extinction.”—Save the Eagles International

 An East County Magazine Special Report

By Miriam Raftery

January 6, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego County’s 48 pairs of nesting golden eagles and even rarer bald eagles could be in peril if proposed industrial-scale wind farms are built.  In a press release issued today,  Save the Eagles International (STEI) issued a dire warning, providing detailed documentation proving  that golden eagles and their nests are disappearing rapidly near wind farms across the U.S.

The group also blasted the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for changing its mission from protecting wildlife to “catering to the interests of an industry” that is a “ruinous one to boot.”  


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PHOTO OF THE MONTH: MCCAIN VALLEY

January 6, 2011 (McCain Valley) -- Charles and Laurie Baker sent in this birds-eye shot, taken from a rocky precipice while hiking in McCain Valley. 

The scene encompasses portions of a site proposed for the Tule Wind Farm.


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U.S. DEPT. OF INTERIOR APPROVES TULE WIND PROJECT IN MCCAIN VALLEY

Local business leaders praise decision to expand renewable energy

Opponents hope Supervisors, court will protect scenic, cultural and wildlife resources

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 26, 2011 (McCain Valley) – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar signed approval December 20 forTule Wind Project on federal lands in McCain Valley in East County. The federal lands portion approved by the Department of the Interior constitute the bulk of the project, capable of generating up to 186 megawatts (MW) of the project’s total 200 MW capacity. 

The project will need additional approvals from the County of San Diego, California Public Utilities Commission, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and California State Lands Commission.  The County will hold hearings on a major use permit in the first quarter of 2012.  Planning Commissioners and ultimately, the Board of Supervisors are expected to vote on the issue.


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SDG&E GETS VARIANCE TO WORK DURING START OF EAGLE NESTING SEASON

 

New nesting pair found near McCain Valley, an ECM reader reports

By Miriam Raftery


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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC DELAYS IN MCCAIN VALLEY FRIDAY


November 2, 2011 (McCain Valley) - The County has authorized SDG&E and the Daley Corporation to perform asphalt repairs on McCain Valley Road on Friday, November 4 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Work areas will be closed for the safety of workers. One lane will remain open and access to property will be maintained at all times while general repairs are completed due to Sunrise Powerlink construction activities.


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LIVE FIRE TRAINING IN MCCAIN VALLEY CANCELLED

 

July 6, 2011 (McCain Valley) – Cal-Fire and the San Diego County Fire Authority have announced cancellation of plans to conduct controlled brush fire training tomorrow, July 7,  the McCain Valley area of East County. Cal Fire Captain Mike Mohler advises.


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GREEN GOLD MINE OR LAND GRAB? GOVERNOR, DIGNITARIES AT POWERLINK GROUNDBREAKING IN EAST COUNTY

150 protesters stage rally outside, vow to file new lawsuits

View our video highlights by Billy Ortiz

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

Photos by Dennis Richardson and Miriam Raftery

 

 

 

 

“Some people look out in the deserts and just see empty space. I see a gold mine there for clean energy.” – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“This is a big land grab—the taking away of our wilderness areas.” – Marion Bowles, protester

December 10, 2010 (McCain Valley) – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Robert Kennedy’s son, Joe Kennedy, were among the leaders on hand for a symbolic groundbreaking of Sunrise Powerlink yesterday at McCain Valley in San Diego’s East County. Inside the Rough Acre Ranch (former training ground for the San Diego Chargers), the Governor praised the project as “an example to the rest of the nation.”

 

He then helped affix a commemorative plaque to a massive power tower top, or bridge, wider than the audience seating area. The project will have 436 towers. Afterwards, about 200 invited guests celebrated at a lavish luncheon provided by SDG&E and its parent, Sempra Energy.


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GOVERNOR TO SPEAK AT SUNRISE POWERLINK GROUNDBREAKING TODAY; PROTEST PLANNED IN MCCAIN VALLEY

 

December 9. 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is confirmed to appear with other dignitaries at a groundbreaking hosted by San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) for Sunrise Powerlink slated for 11 a.m. today (originally set for 9 a.m.)

 

In response, the Protect Our Communiities Foundation is organizing a protest, calling the groundbreaking “premature” since three active lawsuits against Sunrise Powerlink are currently in the courts—any one of which could potentially halt the project.


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CAL FIRE TO CONDUCT LIVE-FIRE TRAINING WED. & THURS: SMOKE VISIBLE IN EAST COUNTY

 

 

 

 

June 15, 2010 (McCain Valley) -- If you see smoke rising over East County's backcountry tomorrow and Thursday, don't panic.  Cal-Fire will be conducting a “live fire” training exercise in the McCain Valley area near Boulevard approximately one mile north of Interstate 8 on June 16th and 17th. Smoke may be visible from many areas of Boulevard and the Campo Reservation as well as to those traveling on Interstate 8.


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FEB 15 DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON 3 MAJOR ENERGY PROJECTS IN EAST COUNTY


Tule Wind, ECO Substation and Energia Sierra Juarez energy/transmission proposals


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CONTROLLED BURNS WED. & THURS. OVER EAST COUNTY'S RURAL AREAS

June 2, 2009 (Boulevard)--If you see smoke, don't panic!

CAL-FIRE has announced plans for a 100-acre controlled burn east of Boulevard near McCain Valley on Wednesday and Thursday, June 3 and 4, East County Magazine has learned.

Smoke will be visible over most of East County, said CAL-FIRE Captain Nick Schuler.

The controlled burns are part of CAL-FIRE's program to reduce dense vegetation and reduce the risk of a catastrophic firestorm.


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