Energy Resources & Resource Efficiency

1. Mono County has significant renewable energy resources within its boundaries, including geothermal, hydroelectric, biomass, solar and wind. Issues have arisen and will continue to arise as to whether these resources should be developed, and, if development does occur, how assurances can be made that it will not cause significant adverse effects on the environment. In addition, the impacts of long-distance transmission corridors associated with regional energy development projects are a growing concern.

2. Geothermal: The principal issues faced by Mono County regulatory authorities during the administrative proceedings accompanying the initial applications (in the 1980s) for existing geothermal permits involved the question of whether geothermal operations would affect the fumaroles and geothermally influenced pools, streams and springs in the Casa Diablo area, including Hot Creek Fish Hatchery and Hot Creek Gorge. The thermally influenced springs are also factors in the productivity of the Hot Creek Fish Hatchery. Impacts to deer herds and migration corridors is also a significant concern. Considerations of air quality impacts and public health and safety are extremely important for the use of these resources, as well as potential impacts to visual, biologic, and water resources. Through its permitting authority, the County imposed a detailed monitoring program that has yielded several years of data establishing less than significant impacts from the geothermal extraction activities of this project. Recently, a replacement plant was approved to increase efficiency, and a new plant was approved on adjacent USFS lands, over which the County had limited authority.

Recently, interest in small-scale and residential geothermal applications through underground systems has been increasing. These systems are compatible with green building design and greenhouse gas reduction measures, which the County encourages, and are regulated by the California Building Code.

Hydroelectric: Surface waters in Mono County provide valuable habitat for aquatic and terrestrial species as well as enhancing the visual quality of the surrounding landscape. The protection of these waters is of paramount importance, both for species directly or indirectly dependent on such resources, and for the support of the recreational economy. Certain streams in Mono County are already extensively diverted for hydroelectric power or to supply water for export. The environmental damage done by water diversions to riparian plant communities, wildlife, fisheries, and recreational and visual resources can be severe. County policies are directed toward restoring damage that has already occurred, preventing additional damage from occurring, and minimizing unacceptable change to stream environments.

3. Solar: Solar farms usually require large areas; therefore, the major impacts of commercial scale solar energy development include visual resource degradation, site disturbance, and habitat destruction.Commercial scale solar projects also utilize a substantial amount of water, which may or may not be readily available. Some of the best solar resources in the county are associated with valley floors, which are commonly used for agricultural production and provide key wildlife habitat for species like the sage grouse. At the residential scale, installations are largely controlled by the Solar Rights Act and California Building Code, and are compatible with green building design and greenhouse gas reduction measures. The County encourages residential solar by providing prescriptive designs for ground-mounted and roof-mounted installations.

4. Wind: there are significant wind resources within Mono County on both federal and private lands. Development of this energy source will inevitably involve the placement of tall towers which have visual, noise and biological resource impacts, including direct avian mortality. The County desires to influence any proposal for wind generation within Mono County to protect resources of interest.

5. Biomass: Creating a market for and utilizing woody biomass from fuel reduction, defensible space and habitat improvement projects is of significant interest due to the locally high fire hazard, species conservation efforts (such as pinyon and juniper tree removal for sage grouse habitat), and potential economic development benefits. In 2014, “A Comprehensive Feasibility Study for a Heat and/or Power Biomass Facility and Expanded Forest Products Utilization in Mono County, California,” was completed. The study found an inadequate biomass supply for a combined heat-and-power (CHP) plant in the Mammoth Lakes area due to the 2:1 ratio necessary to obtain financing, and recommended development of thermal-only projects. Considerations of air quality, visual and biological impacts, as well as public health and safety, are extremely important in the development of any biomass project.

6. Other unanticipated energy resources could be proposed for development in Mono County. Impacts to environmental, social, and economic aspects, as well as public health and safety, are extremely important to consider in the use of other resources.

7. Electrical transmission lines and fluid conveyance pipelines (including gas pipelines) can be highly visible elements in the landscape if they are not routed and constructed carefully. Because of their linear nature and the need for access, not only for construction but for routine maintenance, the placement of transmission lines and pipelines often is not only conspicuous, but can contribute to erosion, water quality degradation, and loss of wildlife habitat.

8. Energy conservation can save consumers money, reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel generation and fuel burning, improve the use of resources, and reduce the need for energy production and transmission facilities. It is to the benefit of Mono County and its residents to pursue energy conservation and to use readily available alternative energy resources when such use is environmentally acceptable.

9. Waste reduction actions decrease the amount of material that ends up in a landfill, thereby reducing the GHGs produced in waste decomposition. They also help to conserve landfill space, decreasing the need for the County to dedicate additional space or develop potentially costly alternatives. These actions can save money as well; for example, efforts to reduce the amount of paper used in County government operations decreases the office supply costs for the County.