County Supervisors Reject Soda Mountain Solar Project by Don Holland - City News Group, Inc.

Community Calendar

MARCH
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 01 02 03 04
View Events
Submit Events
directory

County Supervisors Reject Soda Mountain Solar Project

By Don Holland, Community Writer
August 31, 2016 at 11:45am. Views: 76

SAN BERNARDINO>> The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors rejected a controversial solar project Aug. 23 that gained national attention because of its impacts on sensitive areas of the Mojave Desert. “For a variety of reasons, this is the wrong project in the wrong location,” said Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman Robert A. Lovingood, referring to the Soda Mountain Solar Project, which was rejected on a 3-2 vote following roughly four hours of public comment and discussion. The three-square-mile project site is on federal land along Interstate 15 near the entrances to Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave National Preserve and Death Valley National Park. Solar projects, Lovingood said, are more appropriately suited for disturbed lands such as fallow agriculture lands, brown fields and former mine sites. “It is hard to justify damaging sensitive desert lands when we have disturbed lands near transmission corridors that are ideally suited,” Lovingood said. “The fact that the state has warned of problems with the project gives us additional cause for concern.” Supervisors noted San Bernardino County residents would bear much of the burden of the project and see few benefits. The Board of Supervisors was asked to certify project documents under the California Environmental Quality Act, something the board declined to do. During the marathon discussion, more than 2,500 petition signatures were submitted from opponents of the project. The controversial project has received opposition from more than 70 noted scientists, former National Parks superintendents and others who said the location is one of the worst locations possible to build an industrial-scale solar project. The 2,059-acre project site is located entirely on BLM-administered land in a rural area of the Mojave Desert, approximately six miles southwest of Baker and approximately 50 miles northeast of Barstow. Primary access to the Project site is from the Rasor Road exit from Interstate 15.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Contributing Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:26pm. Views: 378

A modern storefront shows Rancho Family Medical Group’s new clinic, with signs reading “Primary Care Coming Soon” above glass doors decorated with blue and white balloons. Rancho Family Medical Group’s newest clinic is at The District, on Hemlock Avenue.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 04:36pm. Views: 267

17 years old, Brayden Dismang this weeks Athlete of the Week for Redlands East Valley HS is already making a strong impression both in the classroom and on the baseball field. A Junior maintains an impressive 3.9 grade point average while balancing the demands of academics, athletics, and work.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 04:08pm. Views: 295

Lucas Palos is 17 years old and currently a Senior at Grand Terrace High School. Lucas has earned Principal’s Honor Roll twice, helped lead his teams to league championships in both baseball and football, And is this weeks Athlete of the week.

Photo Courtesy of: Feeding America® Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB)

By Rachel Bonilla, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:04pm. Views: 590

FARSB, Anthem Blue Cross Foundation and Feeding America highlight how nutritious food supports better health during National Nutrition Month®

Photo Courtesy of: Mayor Phill Dupper

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 475

Beautiful view of Loma Linda California.

Photo Courtesy of: Designed by Freepik

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 290

The Grand Terrace Dog Park will be closed from March 18, 2026, through April 22, 2026. During the closure period, residents are encouraged to seek alternative locations for outdoor pet activities.

Photo Courtesy of: Carl M. Dameron

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 360

Rev. Chuck Singleton, senior pastor at Loveland Church, at the Third Annual Reparations Summit held at Loveland Church.  Easter service at Loveland Church is called “Celebrate the Light Of The World!” in Fontana, Santa Monica, and Victorville, and will be on Sunday, April 5. 6:00 am Sonrise service, 7:30 am, and 10:30 am, live at LovelandChurch.org.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Brian Mohan, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 500

On Thursday, March 12, Mayor Cabrera and members of the City Council attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Car Pros Kia Moreno Valley, which completed a $2.25 million expansion of its service center doubling its service capacity and further strengthening the dealership’s role as one of the top-performing Kia retailers in the nation.

Photo Courtesy of: Designed by Freepik

By San Bernardino County, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 337

A woman stands in the kitchen smiling, while she holds a glass of water.

Photo Courtesy of: ONSCENE.TV

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 202

At approximately 10:15pm on March 8th, 2026, California Highway Patrol officers and Cal Fire Riverside County crews responded to a reported solo vehicle rollover crash on eastbound State Route 60 east of Nason Street in Moreno Valley.

Photo Courtesy of: KTLA5

By Eric Montgomery, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 276

Honey Cooper is pictured reading at Kimbark Elementary School in San Bernardino, California.

Photo Courtesy of: Truly Adams

By Justus Baker-Postell, Community Writer

March 17, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 316

Truly "The Truth" Adams official sponsorship annoucement with OSRX.

--> -->