Ribbon cutting ceremony, April22, 2022 (Photo – Kate Bartlett)
Sierra Madre’s Earth Day celebrations began with the ribbon cutting for its Photovoltaic Solar Array.
By Kate Bartlett
The overnight rain produced a glistening San Gabriel Mountains backdrop and a shiny two-acre solar array for the ribbon cutting ceremonies on the morning of April 22, 2022, the 52nd anniversary of Earth Day. Attending the ceremony were representatives of Sierra Madre: Mayor Gene Goss, President Pro Tem Edward Garcia, City Manager Jose Reynoso, Council Members Rachelle Arizmendi, Kelly Kriebs and Robert Parkhurst, Management Analyst James Carlson and other representatives of the City. Mayor Goss made the initial comments and introductions, and Councilmember Parkhurst described the history of the project.
The City was honored by remarks by U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, State Senator Anthony Portantino, L. A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Ann Marie Hickambottom representing Assemblymember Chris Holden, and Miles Prince, a Director of the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District. Ted Bardacke, Executive Director of the Clean Power Alliance also was present.
Robert Parkhurst became interested in the solar array project before he was on the City Council; the project has since received the support of seven members of the City Council and two mayors. It is now stewarded by Jose Reynoso who was Sierra Madre’s Director of Utilities before being appointed City Manager. The project was contracted in 2019 with Direct Solar/Duke Energy, and construction began in January 2022. It is located at 611 East Sierra Madre Boulevard near the groundwater replenishment basins, City Yard, and water productions facilities.
The fixed-tilt photovoltaic solar array with anti-reflective technology absorbs sunlight and converts it into electricity. It is estimated that the project will offset nearly 555 kWh of energy from the City’s water production facility with a 111 KW battery energy storage system, saving 38% of the energy used in the production and distribution of the City’s water supply, eliminating 693 tons of carbon emissions and saving 1457 barrels of oil per year.
Each of the speakers applauded Sierra Madre’s role as a leader in addressing climate crisis issues. The City is a founding member of the Clean Power Alliance, a Joint Powers Authority of 32 communities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties that are purchasing their own renewable energy. Director Prince noted the willingness of the city to partner with others and explore new and innovative means to offset the pressures on resources. Supervisor Barger described these projects as chipping away at the challenges of the climate crises. Congresswoman Chu congratulated the City on prioritizing a renewable energy project, and Senator Portantino described the cumulative effect of projects such as this by quoting Mother Teresa: ‘I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.’
(Photo – Kate Bartlett)
(L-R) Sierra Madre City Manager Jose Reynoso. L. A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and Ted Bardacke, Executive Director of the Clean Power Alliance (Photo – Kate Bartlett)
According to the California Air Resources Board, “Wildfires release carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.” Clean Power Alliance’s Goldman Sachs Renewable Power Solar and Storage was built in a disadvantaged community; that has high temperatures, high winds and low humidity; is a potential trigger for wildfire; in an area of a continuous fuel bed of invasive grasses for fire spread; with a reduction of fire protection assets; and no water on site or nearby. Is there a water source nearby your facility in Sierra Madre in the event of fire?