Cascade Solar in the news. Press Release dated 11/10/14 WATER THEFT INCIDENT REPORTED BY JOSHUA BASIN WATER DISTRICT JOSHUA TREE, CA~ Joshua Basin Water District’s telemetry alarm mobilized crews early last Tuesday, November 4th towards a line break near the Sun Edison solar project in Joshua Tree. Staff discovered a break in the line near a “Jones Head” fire hydrant, which led to approximately 72,000 gallons of water loss in the same area that was not metered to service the solar project. This produced a lake-sized, large water spill. A nearby resident approached one of the District employees investigating the water loss and stated that he personally had witnessed Sun Edison using the community water to wash the solar panels over the past week numerous times from the fire hydrant without a meter. The JBWD Distribution Supervisor and General Manager Sauer approached the Sun Edison solar site supervisor, who was currently overseeing a subcontractor’s five- member crew washing panels. Both the Sun Edison representative and their Sub-Contractor got into a “he said-she said” finger pointing response regarding the unauthorized use of the community’s water, when questioned by Sauer. A Mr. Weagle, from Corporate Sun Edison, arrived on site shortly after, with Sauer present to discuss the confusion. Mr. Weagle stated that, “There was obviously a mix up through some national office, because he did not know there was no agreement with Sun Edison and the Water District about water.” Joshua Basin Water District takes water theft seriously. They attempted to connect with Sun Edison’s corporate office manger, Jeff Lewis, Sun Edison’s Asset Manager, to resolve the unauthorized use of water. After two days and no results, a sheriff’s report was filed on the morning of November 7th for water theft against Sun Edison by General Manager Sauer. Lewis then contacted Sauer shortly after that same day. Mr. Lewis expressed Sun Edison’s desire to make things right, and agreed to pay the $2,000.00 in damages, along with the $483.00 costs for water loss and water use. They also agreed to cover the water used between October 29th and November 3rd that was also off-meter, which is being determined. Sauer and Lewis discussed future annual water needs for the solar project: the volumes of water, the time of year, and the days and weeks that they anticipated usage. They also discussed the future method of tracking Sun Edison’s water use, whether it involved using a hauling station, upgrading pipeline infrastructure to their site with a meter, or even, installing a metered well. Sauer reported, “At this time I believe… (Sun Edison) is interested in working with the District…and that Sun Edison wanted good relationships with its neighbors.” *END*
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 15:07:08 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015