The Blog

Welcome!

Hello to All who have come to our blog. It’s November 20, 2024 and we can’t wait to get started. We are a neighborhood organization of concerned citizens in Twentynine Palms, California. We have come together to educate our fellow citizens, the general public, and elected city leaders about the issues related to a proposed commercial-scale solar power plant in the midst of our city limits. Many citizens have voiced their opposition to the plant. The “Why We Are Opposed” section of this website summarizes the main reasons why city leaders should maintain the existing ban on industrial solar power in our city and deny the developer, E-Group, its request. We love solar power! It’s this particular plant that poses a problem. For starters, the site is located where a thriving population of the endangered Desert Tortoise resides.

Check back often for news and information about what you can do! There is plenty. This project is by no means a done deal. Thank you!

  • Two Big Meetings To Attend this Week

    Hello Neighbors and Friends of Twentynine Palms, California!

    There are a couple big meetings this week relating to the two intertwined development projects we are watching: The industrial scale solar power plant proposed by E-Group and the Ofland Resort Project. Show up, learn, participate, meet-and greet, and most of all: Make you voice heard!

    THE FIRST MEETING – CITY COUNCIL – TUESDAY 5:15 PM

    What: The first meeting to attend is the E-Group Solar Project Update and Workshop on the Community Benefits Package. How does E-Group propose to compensate our community if the solar plant were to be permitted? Come to this City Council meeting to get the latest, and please comment during the public comments section of the meeting.

    You can prepare yourself for the meeting by reading this preliminary report on the proposed benefits package: https://citwentynine-palmsca.civicweb.net/document/134432/E-Group%20Solar%20project%20update%20and%20workshop%20on%20Co.pdf?handle=44B1A4770F354DEA8854448DBE24CC7C

    Where: 6136 Adobe Road Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, Council chambers

    When: Tuesday June 24, 2025, 5:15 pm

    THE SECOND MEETING – PLANNING COMMISSION – WEDNESDAY, 5PM

    What: This is a special meeting of the City of Twentynine Palms Planning Commission. Members of the public have the right to speak (three minutes for each member of the audience). The issue being decided is whether developers of the Ofland Resort will be given a mitigated negative declaration (MND). If the City does grant them the MND, Ofland will be allowed to skip the extensive environmental review process which would otherwise be required.

                There is strong opposition to granting Ofland an MND. You can read all about the issue here. Have a look at the Initial Study discussing project impacts. Also read letters from the public detailing their heartfelt and well-reasoned objections as well as the responses from the City.  https://citwentynine-palmsca.civicweb.net/document/134470/

    Where: 6136 Adobe Road Twentynine Palms, CA 92277, Council chambers

    When: Wednesday June 25, 2025, 5:00 pm

  • Town Hall Meeting in 29P Gives Citizens Space to Discuss Ofland Resort, Solar Farm, and More

    The Morongo Basin Conservation Association along with the Indian Cove Neighbors Organizing Committee hosted a town hall meeting on Saturday May 31, 2025 at the Twentynine Palms Community Center to discuss proposed developments including the Ofland Hotel Resort and the industrial-scale solar power plant proposed by Slovakian energy developer E-Group. These two projects have a lot in common. Both projects seek to commercialize a patch of scenic desert that lies just east of Lear Avenue in Twentynine Palms. This piece of land is habitat for a thriving population of the Desert Tortoise (an endangered species) and lies within city limits–providing beautiful natural views, open space, other benefits to nearby residents and passers-by. Neither development has been permitted by the City of Twentynine Palms but developers have submitted their applications and review is underway. Getting buy-in from local residents and their elected representatives is an integral part of the permitting process too. Residents are organizing to express their opposition.

    If you were not able to make it to the meeting, you can find a detailed discussion of the conversation in an excellent article in our local publication The Desert Trumpet titled:  Finding Balance Town Hall Recap: A Morongo Basin Conversation on Development in Our Ecosystem, authored by Eleanor Whitney. See https://www.deserttrumpet.org/p/finding-balance-town-hall-recap-a

    Overall, the meeting had a “focus on community engagement, representation, and development.” As the article in the Desert Trumpet stated:

    Representation, education, and community involvement were major themes of the afternoon and the Town Hall had an overall proactive tone. Guest speakers and community members brought up multiple ways that residents can stay informed, get involved, speak up, and push back against proposed developments, as well as create a proactive, positive vision for development. However, they also concurred that there could be more transparent lines of communication when it comes to development, especially at the county level.

    Speakers emphasized that, in order for public opinion to count, it is important for citizens to come to the planning commission meetings and city council hearings in Twentynine Palms. This is ultimately where the decisions are being made made about the solar plant, Ofland resort, and other development projects in our community. After all, civic engagement is our right, privilege, and joy–as well as our best hope for making wise decisions that best serve us all.