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Lodi Mayor Larry Hansen, left, and Congressman Jerry McNerney discuss the potential location for a solar energy plant near White Slough on Tuesday. (Jordan Guinn/News-Sentinel)
Congressman Jerry McNerney tours Lodi to discuss solar project
By Jordan Guinn
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 6:11 AM PDT
Congressman Jerry McNerney visited with Mayor Larry Hansen on Tuesday to discuss Lodi's future as a green energy innovator and recreational paradise.
The two discussed plans for a solar energy project near the White Slough sewer plant. Then they ventured to a bank of the Mokelumne River near Pigs Lake to catch a firsthand glimpse of the threat that soil erosion poses to the area and possible solutions to return it to its former glory.
McNerney said that Lodi was an important part of the district, and that acquiring a solar energy plant for the city would "put Lodi on the map."
The City Council has discussed plans and will vote today to begin taking bids for construction of a solar project adjacent to Interstate 5. If approved, the plant would be located next to White Slough. Those bidding to build the plant would also be responsible for the costs of construction, including gathering permits, obtaining financing, installation, maintenance and operation.
The benefits of the program, according to the council, would include easing White Slough's demand for energy on the city of Lodi. The plant would provide the city with an estimated 100 and 300 kilowatts. Running a 100-watt light bulb for 10 straight hours would use one kilowatt of energy.
Proponents, including Hansen and members of the council, say the solar plant would provide experience with solar energy technology and establish Lodi as an innovator in the field.
Once completed, the plant's energy costs would paid from the Wastewater Utility's operating budget.
Both Hansen and McNerney agreed that a solar energy plant visible from I-5 would serve as a billboard that would showcase Lodi's devotion to energy efficiency and green living.
Mayor Hansen said he expects the council to support the motion and wants to start the project soon. Standing next to a vacant field that could one day be home to a state-of-the-art solar plant, McNerney told Hansen, "You are putting yourself ahead of the curve."
Hansen was quick to point out that the solar plant would not and could not force Lodi to do away with traditional sources of energy. "We still need a backup system," he said.
After the brief meeting outside of White Slough, McNerney and Hansen headed out to Pigs Lake to determine what could be done to reverse the process of erosion that is threatening the wildlife preserve. The two went into the restricted area and stood on the bank that separates Pigs Lake from the Mokelumne River.
City spokesperson Jeff Hood said that there had been repeated attempts to control the erosion. In February, workers placed plastic tarps over the bank in an attempt to slow Mother Nature's attempt to reclaim the land.
The erosion is the outcome of several factors. The natural curves and bends of the Mokelumne River lead to soil being washed away. The amount of water Woodbridge Dam releases into the river and erosion from the wakes of personal watercraft play a significant role, as well.
Hansen said he has no interest in outlawing personal watercraft on the river as a way of curbing erosion. He said enforcing a ban would be a logistical nightmare, and that "the river belongs to everyone."
Although Pigs Lake has between five and 10 years before the 16-foot embankment fully washes away and the nature preserve is destroyed, Mayor Hansen said the city can't afford to sit back on the issue, and having McNerney come out to see it could help the situation along. "Having (McNerney) see it firsthand really does it justice. It shows the criticalness of the issue," he said.
Lodi has applied for grants to save the preserve through the Urban Streams Restoration grant program and California River Parkways to bankroll a permanent fix that will cost a little less than $2 million.
The plan includes building a rock barrier and rebuilding the riverbank. Hood said the project's price tag is substantial because the rocks would have to brought in on a barge, due to some areas being inaccessible. Furthermore, the work could not begin until environmental permits are obtained. Hood said that process takes about a year. Fixing the nature preserve would take between two and three months.
Once completed, the preserve would be reopened to the public.
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Giovanina wrote on Aug 23, 2009 1:27 PM:
dogs4you wrote on Aug 19, 2009 6:26 PM:
Giovanina has the right idea, along with France. That country relys on nuclear power for over 90% of is electric power, also they are green, no emissions and even work at 1 AM.
Stupid hat and not much going on underneath either. He`s gone 2010. "
lodidian wrote on Aug 19, 2009 12:56 PM:
No need to do any more research on costs/benefit of solar and wind power sources but now that I think about it our good mayor generates enough hot air to keep us all warm all the time. "
tosh conn wrote on Aug 19, 2009 12:14 PM:
lodidian wrote on Aug 19, 2009 11:35 AM:
Then what? Can we afford it?
I am embarassed for all city council members who support this project, and other unnecessary projects, while they continue to reduce services and warn city employees their jobs may be eliminated because we cannot afford to pay them. "
Bob Hussein Loblaw wrote on Aug 19, 2009 10:33 AM:
When your ship's come in
And you've got the stock market beat.
But the man worthwhile
Is the man who can smile
When his shorts are too tight in the seat! "
Bob Hussein Loblaw wrote on Aug 19, 2009 10:31 AM:
ordinarycitizen wrote on Aug 19, 2009 9:20 AM:
However, I think he should do a town forum on this medical reform bill. And I hope he really hears the hearts and voices of what I believe are the majority, and that is, this medical reform bill is a dangerous debacle. We need reform, but not Obama's socialitic views and 'death panel' quality care.
Jerry McNerney, vote against this bill please. "
wtf wrote on Aug 19, 2009 8:38 AM:
- and it's a very BIG however -
I expect to see my electric bill drop dramatically; otherwise, I would have to agree with max stanfield. "
max stanfield wrote on Aug 19, 2009 8:04 AM:
Cogito wrote on Aug 19, 2009 7:18 AM:
Giovanina wrote on Aug 19, 2009 6:34 AM:
If we build a couple more nuclear power plants, like they have in France, we won't need the costly solar farms. We will need more farms for food, in the future, as the population continues to increase. YES! MORE FOOD.
I know that Socialist Democrats can't see that far into the future, when it comes to their utopian society, but they are setting us up for a future disaster, again. "
Comments on this story are now closed.