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-Editorial
The Imperial Irrigation District (IID) Board of Directors passed a resolution at its July 1 meeting formally opposing the continued expansion of utility-scale solar development on productive farmland within its service area. Citing economic, environmental, and social impacts, the Board reaffirmed its commitment to preserving agriculture as the backbone of the Imperial Valley economy.
The resolution, introduced by IID Chairwoman Gina Dockstader and Vice Chairman JB Hamby, highlights the displacement of over 13,000 acres of farmland for solar projects — the majority of which transmit electricity to urban regions outside the Imperial Valley. According to the District, this shift has reduced permanent agricultural jobs, altered the rural landscape, and diminished return water flows to the Salton Sea, worsening environmental conditions.
IID Director Gina Dockstader voiced strong support for a resolution urging responsible solar development, emphasizing the need to protect prime agricultural land in Imperial Valley. “This issue is near and dear to my heart,” Dockstader said. “We’re not against solar—we understand its power and potential—but we must send a clear message: do not put it on prime ag land if it’s avoidable. We’ve already lost 13,000 acres to solar projects, and this resolution affirms the importance of preserving our most valuable farmland.”
Director JB Hamby echoed the sentiment, underscoring the broader impact. “We have a $5.1 billion agricultural economy that supports families on both sides of the border,” Hamby said. “Most solar projects don’t benefit our communities—they export power elsewhere while degrading open space, air quality, and water resources. We support renewable energy like geothermal and solar where appropriate, but this resolution is about protecting our finite land and water and ensuring land use aligns with our community’s long-term needs.”
IID Director Alex Cardenas expressed his support for the resolution, calling it a balanced approach that allows for the coexistence of renewable energy and agriculture. He emphasized the District’s continued commitment to solar development, especially given its role in future energy procurement and carbon reduction. However, Cardenas noted the negative impact of removing productive farmland for solar projects, as well as concerns about visual blight along Interstate 8. He praised the resolution for addressing these issues while reaffirming IID’s pledge to support solar in appropriate areas.
Hector Meza of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) emphasized that less than 3% of Imperial Valley’s 450,000 acres of farmland have been used for solar and battery storage projects, which do not consume water. He noted that growing water transfers to metropolitan areas, driven by conservation programs and urban demands, are putting pressure on local agriculture. Meza urged IID to support solar development on non-productive land, stressing that these projects provide valuable job opportunities and trade skills to residents while helping reduce water use.
Fabiola Moreno, Renewable Energy and Manufacturing Organizer for IBEW Local 569, emphasized the union’s role in supporting local jobs through clean energy projects in Imperial Valley. She highlighted that IBEW 569 members have installed over two million solar panels while earning fair wages, healthcare, and pensions. Moreno expressed appreciation for IID’s continued support of renewable energy and affirmed that agriculture and clean energy can coexist. She added that developers often prioritize land no longer viable for farming when planning solar projects.
The Board urged agencies at all levels of government to collaborate on siting future solar development in non-agricultural zones such as deserts and industrial lands. The resolution also directs IID to formally communicate its stance to the Imperial County Board of Supervisors, the local land use authority.
In a separate agenda item, IID leadership, including Hamby, Director Karin Eugenio, and General Manager Jamie Asbury, provided an update on power service matters in the Coachella Valley. The Board reviewed progress stemming from forming the Coachella Valley Power Agency (CVPA), a Joint Powers Authority created in 2025 to address regional energy needs in partnership with IID.
The update outlined current infrastructure projects, including two new substations and seven transformers that will serve over 15,000 homes in Indio. A surcharge is funding the improvements through a previously established JPA between IID and the City of Indio. Ongoing discussions include finalizing an operational agreement between IID and CVPA to coordinate project reviews and revenue collection.
Board members emphasized that their guiding principles remain local governance, cost neutrality for Imperial Valley ratepayers, and collaborative long-term planning that supports growth across both regions.