Trinchera Ranch Letter in Alamosa Valley Courier
June 29th, 2010The Alamosa Valley Courier recently ran a letter from the Alamosa County Commissioners that featured some false claims and inaccurate information. On June 27, the paper published Trinchera Spokesman Cody Wertz’ response:
Trinchera Ranch responds to Alamosa County Commissioners
Cody Wertz, Trinchera Ranch spokesperson
Published: June 25th, 2010, Valley Courier, Page 4
The Alamosa County Commissioners’ letter from June 22nd misrepresents Trinchera Ranch and its role in the transmission-line issue.
The utilities are attempting to smear Trinchera Ranch as the only opponent of the utilities’ misguided proposal when that is just not the truth. Hundreds of Valley residents have spoken out against the utilities ‘ proposal and all indications are that this number will continue to grow.
What the commissioners don’t recognize, and the utilities fail to communicate, is that the Valley’s existing transmission system can handle more than 20 times more energy than is currently generated in the Valley with minor upgrades. Simply put, a new transmission line is not standing in the way of solar development in the Valley, economics are.
In fact, as recently as this month, Xcel questions whether certain types of solar technologies being pursued in the Valley are economically feasible. They cite the lowering cost of natural gas and the rising costs of certain solar technologies as reasons for reducing their solar commitment in the Valley in their recently submitted application to amend their statewide energy resource plan.
Trinchera Ranch has a long-standing history in the San Luis Valley. From providing jobs for Valley residents to conserving lands to creating local hunting opportunities to its philanthropic activities, the ranch is an important contributor to the Valley community.
Trinchera Ranch also maintains a robust forest and wildlife management program. The ranch partners with state and federal agencies to create a healthy and viable environment for countless native species. The access roads criticized by the commissioners are a vital part of that program. Additionally, the subdivisions the commissioners critique were all on the ranch prior to Mr. Bacon purchasing it.
We think solar development has a bright future in the Valley. We also think there are better and cheaper ways to achieve redundancy and reliability while fostering our solar industry. Win-win solutions exist that can do this without destroying one of the last untouched, pristine corridors in the state. We have more information on these solutions at www.smartvalleyenergy.com.
Letter-writing campaigns dictated by the utilities will not solve the problem. Trinchera Ranch remains willing to work with all parties to find a solution. We hope the utilities will do the same.