At the last Planning Commission meeting on February 17, 2026 Commissioners voiced varied opinions about the E-Group solar project. They had many probing questions and plenty of reservations about giving their approval. Commissioners had the chance to hear dozens of public comments too, most of which opposed the project. E-Group’s attorney, Robert Smith, also attended the meeting and responded to questions from the Commissioners. He brought along several consultants from the environmental consulting firm Dudek and an employee from E-Group itself to provide technical expertise. You can listen to that meeting on the City website here

Although City Staff had requested that the Commissioners vote to approve the project at the February 17 meeting, Commissioners were not ready to do that and voted for a two-week continuance. Their stated reason was that they had only been given 5 days to read hundreds of pages of dense technical documents–and that time frame was over a holiday weekend at that. Commissioners’ decision whether to approve the project is an especially weighty one and Commissioners acknowledged the stakes. A Yes vote would give the applicant, E-Group, vested rights to develop the project. Vested rights lock in terms when approval is granted. This reduces the City’s leverage going forward. If and when there are problems with the project, the City will have given up much of its power to shape how the developer responds to those problems.

Fast forward to this moment, a day or so before the continued Planning Commission meeting takes place. What are Commissioners thinking about the project? Please attend the Planning Commission meeting this Tuesday evening and help Commissioners make a responsible and well-informed decision. If you can, bring a friend.

You Are Invited!

WHAT, WHEN, WHERE:

Next Planning Commission Meeting-a big one!

Tuesday March 3, 2026, 5p.m.

City Hall, 6136 Adobe Road, Twentynine Palms CA

See the meeting Agenda here Fill out your comment card in the lobby outside the meeting room so you can stand up at the podium and let your voice be heard! This is civic engagement at its finest. We the citizens of Twentynine Palms have the right-and many feel the duty-to participate in civic decisions like this one that have major consequences for our community.

This meeting has an added twist: In an unprecedented procedural move, Commissioners are being asked to cede their decision-making authority to City Council. Wow!! There will be a vote on this. If Commissioners vote Yes to give up their decision-making power, the solar plant approval decision goes straight to City Council. Imagine, despite all of the time and energy already expended by Commissioners and the public in their dialoguing, the fruits of this labor may add up to nothing. It’s a startling move recommended City Staff. Read more about the City’s approval transfer recommendation in the article by the Desert Trumpet found here. Thanks for reading this article and making a difference.

Stay happy, stay healthy, and stay committed to what you think is right!

Tell a friend…