KINGMAN - Both solar companies were unanimously approved for General Plan amendments and other zoning requests by the Board of Supervisors Monday, but not without some comments from both sides of the issue.
The 200-megawatt Albiasa Solar plant is to be located near the Silverado master-planned community near U.S. 93 and south of Interstate 40. The 340-megawatt Hualapai Valley Solar plant would be located north of Kingman near Red Lake.
Both plants will have to get state and federal permits before construction can start. The Arizona Corporation Commission will also have to approve both plants.
"I ask again, when changing zoning laws, please take into account the citizens that will be most affected," resident John Lutenske said of the Albiasa project. "This Board should not rush to judgement."
There are other areas, already zoned for commercial, where such a plant would be better suited, he said.
"This is not just about water, traffic, dust, noise and profit," Lutenske said. "Why would you want to put heavy industry right next to a residential zone?"
Because the county's Energy Overlay (E) Zoning was not created before Albiasa and Hualapai Valley Solar applied for their zoning requests, both plants were required to apply for heavy industrial zoning. Some residents have raised concerns that this type of zoning would allow other heavy industry to move into the area.
Albiasa Solar has agreed to only build a solar plant on the property.
Silverado, Mike Horner, who owns the land, and Albiasa have never proven an adequate water supply with the Arizona Department of Water Resources, said resident Susan Bayer. Water is not a renewable resource when the recharge rate is slower than the amount that is being taken out of the ground, she said.
Adequate water supply designations only apply to subdivisions, said County Manager Ron Walker.
"The Board of Supervisors does not have control over groundwater. It's not our call," said Board Chair Tom Sockwell. "I believe the law stipulates if you own property and there's water under that property, you can drill a well and pump that water out, as long as it is used for a useful purpose. I would have to say that the generation of electricity is a useful purpose."
"We may not like that, but that is the law and its been upheld by the Supreme Court," Walker said.
"The residents get nothing except declining property values, a loss of water and a country way of life," said resident Wayne Smith. "Policy 27.9a of the General Plan states that an applicant must demonstrate a perceived benefit or need to the area affected by the General Plan amendment. I cannot think of one benefit."
"You don't have to rush into this," said resident John Ford. He couldn't understand how Walker could condemn residents who were worried about their water supply when he had campaigned against water usage for Griffith Energy.
"Sit back and think about this, listen to the people," Ford said.
"I appreciate Mr. Ford putting words in my mouth," Walker said. "My argument with Griffith Energy was not water use, it was with the public guaranteeing water use for 50 years and being liable for the delivery of that water."
Several people spoke in favor of the plant.
Resident Russ Settell said he had collected 19 signatures in support of the plant.
"Kingman has the highest rate of unemployment in the state," he said. People hired by Albiasa would be looking for homes in the area to buy. The solar plant would also help release the U.S. from Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries' stranglehold.
Mike Horner, the property owner who applied for the zoning requests for the plant, also spoke in favor of the project.
The plant would use less than 2,275 acre-feet of water, Horner said. Most of the steel, the structure and the turbines would be manufactured in the U.S. The company would be willing to do groundwater studies in the area. And the plant was planning on recycling the water it used as much as possible.
He estimated that property tax revenues would be about $3.5 million a year for the plant.
The Board unanimously approved Horner's request for a major General Plan amendment, a major amendment to the Silverado Area Plan, a reversion to acreage, a rezoning request and an abandonment of part of Old U.S. 93.
Hualapai Valley Solar seemed to have more support from the audience.
Kingman Mayor John Salem confirmed that the city was creating a water use policy in order to sell its reclaimed water from the Hilltop Wastewater Treatment plant to Hualapai Solar. The city should be able to provide more than 1.7 million gallons a day to the plant. That amount would increase as the city grew and could potentially supply the solar plant with all of its water, he said.
"I really think the benefits of this project far outweigh the risks," Salem said.
The plant planned to reuse the water at least 58 times before releasing it into settling ponds, said Hualapai Valley Solar Project Manager Greg Bartlett
Kingman Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Beverly Liles also spoke in favor of the project, saying it would bring in needed jobs, wages and tax revenues.
The company would bring in an estimated $20 million to the community, which included between $4 to $8 million in property taxes, Bartlett said.
Mike Neal of Truxton Water Company said he had some concerns that the project would affect the ability of his company to provide water to his customers. After speaking with representatives from Hualapai Solar, he said he was no longer concerned.
Chris Hopper of SunWest Biofuel also supported the project, saying the company was planning to supply Hualapai Valley Solar with biodiesel for its generators.
Even those who had voiced opposition to the Albiasa project seemed to give grudging approval to Hualapai Solar.
Resident Jim Kanelos voiced his approval of the use of reclaimed water, but asked that the project be tabled until the county's E Zoning was approved.
Lutenske praised Hualapai Solar's initiative in applying for state and federal permits before it received approval for its zoning from the county. He wondered why Albiasa couldn't do the same thing.
Other residents were not so enthusiastic.
Ford recommended the Board put the project on the ballot to be voted on by all of the county's residents.
Resident Robert Fenwick was concerned about a lack of monitoring on how much water the company would draw out of the ground.
Resident Judi Scaliantine asked that the county require a bond to make sure Hualapai Solar built the solar plant and pipeline to the wastewater treatment plant.
The Board unanimously approved Hualapai Solar's major amendment to the County General Plan and its area plan.
Reader Comments
Posted: Friday, November 20, 2009
Article comment by:
sick of wasting gas
When is the BOS going to help a developer put a grocery store and hardware store, auto parts store in Golden valley? This is a big Valley and Aztec needs some retail stores. We will still have rural life; they can use low level outside lighting. They dont need stadium lights. Please get it done. Gas is costly. I heard Basha's supports local growers. If so, help them get in with a NAPA, and an Ace or true Value. We are on 1 acre plus parcels and many foods grow well out here. We also need a farmers market.
Posted: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Article comment by:
Deana
Anyone interested in buying 10 acres off old hwy 93, How about you Mr. Watson or Maybe Mr. Johnson? You can have a beautiful view of a Solar Plant right out your back door. Thanks for looking out for our community. Thats a tall glass of sarcasm just for you. To all of you who feel this is a great move for Kingman come on out, I'm sure there will be alot of property for sale soon. You can live close to where you think you will be employed.
Posted: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Article comment by:
Frank
Thank you board of supervisors for voting for progress. Just finished ready the ridiculous letter from Trent Franks trying to influence your decision. Thanks for studying the facts and acting accordingly.
Posted: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Article comment by:
Juana C. iton TV
One day our county Gov's corruption may be on Dateline or 20/20. Anybody have a phone? Even that show would be dumbfounded by what goes on here.
Posted: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Article comment by:
willie
@ Icarus
You failed to understand the point. It is the Supersizes that always think and protect the Good Old Boy network. It was never about the citizens. The Supersizes only want us poor slob's to pick up the tab on everything the good old boy's dont want to pay. So since the Supersizes dont care about the voter's then it is up to the voters to say BOYCOTT! DONT SHOP LOCAL, DONT SHOP IN MOHAVE COUNTY! Let the Supersizes and the Good old Boy's shop here and locally. The Good old Boys have the money to keep the economy going stong, all they have to do is open their wallets. After all it is the rest of the citizens that are picking up the rest of the tab for them. Time to say RECALL, RECALL once and for all. Time to end the corruption in Mohave County! Anyone got a pen? So what a great way to get to know your neighbor, and help everyone out, only shop out of Mohave County. After all we the taxpayers and voters still have the power, it is called a vote and it is called RECALL!
Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Article comment by:
Billy Bob McCloud
The Kingman area will grow no matter what, unless we crash into the depression as most credible economists have stated. The private FRB has ripped off Americans; that means you, your friend and families. If somone wants rural living 5 years from now, move futrther out or go to Kansas or Wyoming. Progess such as this is good. [Deleted]. Stop interfering with progress! Mohave County Americans need work!
Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Article comment by:
no name provided
Let's hope these companies cannot only help Mohave County and Kingman but bring much needed energy solutions to the country as a whole, however this type of energy is just a drop in the bucket for what is really needed. The future should be Nuclear, actually the only way to be efficient and clean. Very few times would I recommend anything the French do, but in this case, they are sooooo far ahead of this country.
Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
I want too say as a resident of Kingman not New Mexico that I have never been against growth or not wanted to see my fellow man prosper. But at no cost to others, is it so hard to understand that you can earn a profit as a corporation and not rape the land of its valuable recources or diminish a pristine area that people are allready vested in. Everyone has property rights tard not just the corporations, and they are not being respected by the people in control. Willie has the right idea. If I owned a lot accross from the elementary school and wanted to build a no-alcohol strip bar you would be o.k. with that right, it would bring jobs and tax revenue so how can you say no. Have some common sense and make a change now before Kingman becomes what the smart people can see in its future. Which isn't a place of economic fortunes but what its always been the gobers making all the money and no opportunity for the little guy and if you think these nearly unmanned water wasters are opportunity for the average guy all I can say is HA.
Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Article comment by:
Mike
here's a thought,an age limit to those who want to move here,a 50 page move to arizona application,if you are 55 and up your not allowed to live in an incorporated city or county with schools,plus a population limit,7 million in az thats it,no more growth and we'll shut off our free ways amd highways and get rid of that pesky hoover dam bypass and or any road leading in and out of AZ,this would be a wonderfull ant-growth proposal or we can sit back and just deal with reality which of course many seem can't handle,growth is reality so deal with it.
Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Article comment by:
Icarus
@ Willie: So you want to take away the little bit of money that gets shuffled around this town so more people lose jobs and more businesses close? Why do you hate Kingman so much?
Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Article comment by:
willie
@ Todd Tarson
[Deleted]. The developers will not use the local's as they stated. They will use them in the temp building jobs, and per Mike Horner he contacted the Phoenix area construction local's. Enough said, another bait and switch. And unless my memory searves me right, I believe that Supersize's spouse is a certain Vice - Mayor named Janet Watson. If Kingman sell's it's greywater to Hualapai, even if it is a small profit. That is enough to be classified as a CONFLICT of INTEREST. Isnt it nice to see how our Governer signed to reduce how much these Solar Plants will pay the state and County in Property Taxes. They will get a hugh reduction and pay very little. And isnt it funny that you Mr. Tarson who is over 800 miles away did not mention that the USGS was there and showed on television that there is more water being taken out of the Hualapai, Sacramento and the Detrital Aquifers than what is being recharged into them. It must be the selective vision you have. [Deleted]. Maybe it is time to let the Supersizes know how much the citizens appreciate them. If they cannot listen to the voters, consumer's, the real citizens of Mohave County. Maybe it is time to NOT SHOP LOCAL! Maybe it is time to BOYCOTT MOHAVE COUNTY. Maybe it is time to shop out of Mohave County. Go to Henderson, NV. Go to Prescott. Go to Flagstaff. Let out taxes be spent else where. Help your neighbor out, go once a month and shop. If you need fresh produce, milk, eggs then shop local, otherwise spend it out of MOHAVE COUNTY. Get to know your neighbor, go together to shop out of MOHAVE COUNTY. If you need a dentist go the MEXICO, then shop in Yuma. If you need prescription medication (like everyone does) how about mail order from you insurance company or if no insurance (like many individual are) you can get mail order from Canada Drugs.com. If the Supersizes wont listen to the people that voted them in, then why should we help the Supersizes out, BOYCOTT!!! and then it is time to RECALL. Anyone got a pen?
Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Article comment by:
Logic
As one individual stated, "sit back and think about this, listen to the people." That's the problem, the people don't want any development, regardless of what they say. They don't care about growing the area and creating jobs, because they want their country living. They moved in and want to shut the door behind them. Therefore, if you sit back and think about this, you will be sitting there thinking for a 100 years.
Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Article comment by:
Icarus
@ Rancher: The elected officials obviously care about what's best for the MAJORITY of the community and the future of what would inevitably end up being a ghost town otherwise. These alternative energy plants will bring much needed jobs and money to this town.
I'm sure they're sorry that the plant will probably block the view of your nearest neighbors meth lab/junkyard.
Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
gosh, I feel l sorry, for the people, owning property out by Albiasa. They had a peaceful slice of heaven. Now I fear, that will end.
does anyone know,what portion of 93 is to be abandoned?
Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Article comment by:
rancher
This is just another chapter in the long story of our elected official's utter disregard of the wishes and welfare of citizens, as they greedily follow the money trail.
Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Can I offer you a tall glass of dirt, we used to have water but now we all drink dirt. I will be suprised if anything with any of these so-called green projects ever happens. The grass is looking greener elsewhere. [Deleted].
Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Article comment by:
Icarus
This is going to be a great benefit to Mohave County in general and to Kingman specifically.
Also does this mean they might pave Antares road now?
Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Article comment by:
Todd Tarson
A great day for private property rights in Arizona.
