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The California Energy Commission granted Solar Millennium’s request to modify the schedule for the
Ridgecrest Solar Power Project. Originally scheduled to begin construction by the end of December 2010, the
work could be delayed for as long as three years pending the results of a biological study of the Mohave
ground squirrel.
These actions follow a CEC staff assessment of the draft environmental impact statement that was
created for the project. The staff determined that insufficient data had been provided regarding mitigation of
the squirrel’s habitat.
That assessment led to Solar Millennium filing a request to the Bureau of Land Management and the
energy commission to suspend the project to allow a two-year study of the ground squirrel. After a conference
meeting between the major parties, Solar Millennium retracted its request for a suspension and instead
requested a modification of the schedule.
If the project had been suspended, the company would have been required to start the application process
all over; in other words, go back to square one. Modifying the schedule means that all work done so far
remain in effect.
The order granting the schedule modification request was signed by James Boyd, vice chair of the
California Energy Commission. Part of the letter reads, “In a status report dated August 4, 2010, Energy
Commission staff (Staff) advised the RSPP Committee that it has no objection to the Applicant’s July 13
request and will coordinate a workshop to include BLM, the California Department of Fish and Game, and the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to discuss the proposed MGS study. By a letter dated August 9, 2010, BLM
granted the Applicant’s request to complete the two-year MGS study.”
The two-year study, to be paid for by Solar Millennium, is not scheduled to start until spring of 2011, after
which the project may or may not be continued depending on the study’s outcome.
In the past all workshops, such as the one to be coordinated by CEC staff, have been open to the public.
As information is received, The News Review will keep you informed.
Ridgecrest Solar Power Project. Originally scheduled to begin construction by the end of December 2010, the
work could be delayed for as long as three years pending the results of a biological study of the Mohave
ground squirrel.
These actions follow a CEC staff assessment of the draft environmental impact statement that was
created for the project. The staff determined that insufficient data had been provided regarding mitigation of
the squirrel’s habitat.
That assessment led to Solar Millennium filing a request to the Bureau of Land Management and the
energy commission to suspend the project to allow a two-year study of the ground squirrel. After a conference
meeting between the major parties, Solar Millennium retracted its request for a suspension and instead
requested a modification of the schedule.
If the project had been suspended, the company would have been required to start the application process
all over; in other words, go back to square one. Modifying the schedule means that all work done so far
remain in effect.
The order granting the schedule modification request was signed by James Boyd, vice chair of the
California Energy Commission. Part of the letter reads, “In a status report dated August 4, 2010, Energy
Commission staff (Staff) advised the RSPP Committee that it has no objection to the Applicant’s July 13
request and will coordinate a workshop to include BLM, the California Department of Fish and Game, and the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to discuss the proposed MGS study. By a letter dated August 9, 2010, BLM
granted the Applicant’s request to complete the two-year MGS study.”
The two-year study, to be paid for by Solar Millennium, is not scheduled to start until spring of 2011, after
which the project may or may not be continued depending on the study’s outcome.
In the past all workshops, such as the one to be coordinated by CEC staff, have been open to the public.
As information is received, The News Review will keep you informed.
Ground squirrel halts solar project
By CASEY WILSON
News Review Correspondent
News Review Correspondent
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