Colton Moves Toward Clean Energy Resources and Growth

Celebrating the completion of one project and the beginning of another in Colton’s south side last Wednesday, March 25, the city is beginning its move toward clean energy resources and at the same time is preparing for industrial boom. The Agua Mansa solar farm ribbon cutting marked the city’s move toward cleaner power as well as the city’s compliance with AB 32, California’s law requiring an approximate 15 percent statewide reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. The farm will provide 1 megawatt of solar power to meet the electricity needs of almost 700 homes and 2,500 residents. “Colton is transitioning from coal-based (electricity) generation and is moving toward cleaner alternatives including wind, solar and hydroelectric generation,” said Colton Environmental Conservation Supervisor Jessica Sutorus. “We are making every effort to meet AB 32 goals.” Sutorus said the city is on track with its goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions—including carbon dioxide and methane—by 2017 to be less than 20 percent of what they are today and an 80 percent reduction from current levels. Mayor Richard De La Rosa said, “Colton is planning for the future with new green technologies and new infrastructure to meet the needs of not just the residents and businesses of today, but preparing for the future residents and businesses of tomorrow.” The Colton Electric Department has also committed to purchase an additional 8 megawatts of solar generation and developing a community solar project in the upcoming year. The solar project will also help residents and businesses financially, explained Electric Utilities Director David Kolk, as new energy sources help stabilize utility costs. “We eliminate market price fluctuation, so we know what our costs are going to be,” said Kolk. “(Solar) is cheaper than the coal-based system we’re currently on so it will reduce costs and rates are going to stay stable.” Immediately following the ribbon cutting of the solar farm, the city celebrated the groundbreaking of its West substation near the Agua Mansa Power Plant that will provide 50 megawatts of load—or electric demand— in this industrial area to facilitate business growth in the city. Mayor Pro Tem Frank Navarro said, “The new load will be for new business development growth that will potentially lead to several hundred new jobs for residents.” The substation will cost around $9 million to construct, paid for by businesses requiring the new capacity, not by existing ratepayers who have paid for the existing system, shared Sutorus. The substation is estimated to be completed in the next six months.