An international power plant developer called E-Group contacted the Twentynine Palms City Council in 2023. E-Group is asking the city to repeal its existing ban on commercial-scale solar power plants within city limits. It wants to build an industrial-scale “solar farm,” which is an array of solar panels on approximately 200 acres of undisturbed open space adjacent to the Harmony Acres neighborhood. An environmental impact report (EIR) is now underway. If approved by the City, E Group says the plant will begin operation in 2025. As such, it is on a fast track.

This project would involve bulldozing a large and rolling expanse of wild desert, wiping out endangered species in the area and threatening the health and well-being of the neighboring community of Twentynine Palms with ongoing sand and dust storms, among other things. The City banned utility scale solar facilities in 2012 for good reasons, citing “adverse impacts to desert vistas…deleterious effects to the tourist industry,” and “potential serious impacts to the biological, cultural and social resources of our community.” We strongly urge the City to stand by its ban and not give in to this bad solar project.

We are not opposed to solar power. We recognize its critical role in responding to the climate crisis. But solar power plants must be correctly sited to avoid extreme environmental impacts and adverse effects on public health. Read on to learn more about this particular plant and why it does not belong in our city.