A note from Supervisor Lovingood: If You Want ‘Renewable Energy,’ Get Ready to Dig

There was a fascinating piece recently in the Wall Street Journal headlined, “If You Want ‘Renewable Energy,’ Get Ready to Dig.” Mark P. Mills writes, “building one wind turbine requires 900 tons of steel, 2,500 tons of concrete and 45 tons of nonrecyclable plastic. Solar power requires even more cement, steel and glass—not to mention other metals.”

Mines in San Bernardino County produce everything from gold, silver and iron ore to specialty clays. High Desert cement manufacturers CEMEX, CalPortland and Mitsubishi Cement make the vast majority of cement that keeps Southern California strong. And MP Materials produces rare earth minerals that are key to smart phones, defense technologies – and wind turbines. In fact, MP Minerals recently invested about $200 million into its mining operation along Interstate 15 in Mountain Pass. And soda ash, a product which is a key component of glass, is produced by Searles Valley Minerals in Trona.

So as the renewable energy sector develops, it is important to remember that its success depends on the minerals mined and produced right here in San Bernardino County.

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Supervisors strengthen littering, illegal dumping ordinance

The Board of Supervisors recently adopted an ordinance that strengthens enforcement against littering and illegal dumping. “This is a very necessary update that allows County Code Enforcement officers and peace officers to issue citations for littering and illegal dumping,” Supervisor Lovingood said. “This change will allow Code Enforcement officers to also issue administrative citations, which is a simpler process than issuing criminal citations.”

Under the current County Code, only peace officers are authorized to enforce the littering provisions of the Penal Code. The new ordinance will make littering a violation of the County Code, which may be enforced by County Code Enforcement Officers in addition to peace officers. The counterpart state law combines littering and illegal dumping in a similar manner.

“There’s a certain amount of discretion that we can use,” County Code Enforcement Director Andy Wingert said. “I think that for illegal dumping, if we’re going to use the criminal courts to prosecute that, we certainly would have the authority and discretion to prosecute that as a misdemeanor. We don’t have to start off with an infraction. We can go straight to a misdemeanor.”

Work to begin in September on Needles Highway

The Board of Supervisors recently awarded a construction contract to Sully-Miller Contracting Company for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of a 1.5 mile section of Needles Highway. The Project consists of pulverizing, cold planing and removing the existing asphalt concrete, and constructing asphalt concrete over cement treated base. Construction is anticipated to commence in mid-September 2019 and be completed by the end of December 2019. Project costs are funded by Federal Public Lands Highways funds.

VVTA funds weekly Trona-Ridgecrest route

The Victor Valley Transit Authority Board has approved funds for weekly transportation between Trona and Ridgecrest. Due to the July earthquakes, the transportation needs of the residents of Trona have increased. The six-month demonstration project would be available to all residents of Trona for grocery shopping and other vital  needs.  

Mustang clubs to roll into Trona Saturday

“Muscle Mustangs of Ridgecrest” and other car clubs will convoy to Trona on Saturday to show off their cars and show their support of the town. “We just want to boost morale and boost their economy a little,” said Muscle Mustangs member Mark Williams. Trona was jolted in July by magnitude 6.4 and 7.1 earthquakes and thousands of aftershocks. The “Beach Cities Mustangs” of Long Beach and the “Golden Empire Mustangs” of Bakersfield will also roll into Trona around 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Club members plan to visit various businesses in Trona and then congregate at the Trails Drive In, 84520 Trona Road, Trona. For more information, call Mark Williams at (559) 707-6929. https://www.facebook.com/MMRidgecrest/?tn-str=k*F