Chevron bids to make college solar
By Stacy Moore
Hi-Desert Star
Published: Saturday, May 9, 2009 1:32 AM CDT
JOSHUA TREE — The Chevron corporation is proposing to install solar panels, a wind turbine and other alternative-energy equipment at Copper Mountain College, promising to save the Joshua Tree campus more than 950,000 kilowatts and $450,000 every year.
College trustees will hold a public hearing and are expected to vote on the proposal Thursday.
Besides saving money, college officials hope the installations will lead to a new degree program in energy management.
Representatives from Chevron Corporation made their pitch in a presentation before the Board of Trustees Tuesday, saying the solar-energy system alone will provide over 90 percent of the more than 100,000 kilowatt hours the college goes through each year.
Following the entire Chevron blueprint would cost $6.7 million over 20 years, but the presenters said the projects would not hit the college general fund’s bottom line.
Instead, the college could secure use government incentives and grants, renewable energy credits and money from the Measure C bond passed in 2004.
“Essentially it’s revenue neutral,” explained CMC Vice President of Finance Joe Olson. After paying for most of the changes with grants and incentives, he said, “We’ll finance the balance of the construction from energy savings.”
Forecasting the programs will reduce the college’s 20-year energy costs by $9 million, Chevron’s analysis claimed the blueprint will save CMC a net total of $4.5 million.
Chevron’s presenters said their corporation will guarantee the program’s performance and energy savings.
More than a money saver, college leaders believe the program will be an educational opportunity for Hi-Desert residents.
“We hope it’s going to help us develop an energy-management degree,” said Olson.
“We think it would present a lot of opportunities,” he added. “The solar is a pretty sizable laboratory to work on. The wind turbine is designed to be an educational device.”
Joshua Tree seems to be an ideal location for a renewable-energy educational program, according to Chevron’s representatives and Olson, who said, “Given our location and our proximity to the wind turbines, it’s a great place to learn.”
If the trustees approve the plan later this month, construction will begin this summer and is expected to be finished in nine to 10 months.
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