Read My Lips (Floating Solar Update)

Sweetwater Reservoir

The Sweetwater Authority intends to build floating solar panels on Sweetwater Reservoir. The agency is not obligated to keep the community informed about any current or future project.

The [legally required] public announcement of a project is embedded in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA.) In September 2023, the Governing Board authorized preparation of a CEQA Document, the [Initial Study and] Mitigated Negative Declaration, for a [9.5-acres] Noria Energy photovoltaic system.

Yet, according to industry experts, the energy generation potential of the Sweetwater Reservoir is much, much greater. Sweetwater Authority and San Diego Community Power representatives met to discuss array expansion. One expansion proposal would cover 3/4 of the reservoir.

My interpretation [of the public record] in recent updates was flawed. The official word from the Sweetwater Authority today is:

“Nothing has changed”

The agency’s new spokesperson, Public Affairs Manager Angel Marquez, used those exact words. I had asked, was the agency going to update their floating solar project web page? Their special web page, “Floating Solar Project” is under the heading: “Current Projects.” Yet, it reads “Last updated 9/27/24.”

However, there have been Board Actions, conversations during public meetings, and new project information released since last September.

• The Draft Initial Study was released within the December 14, 2024 Special Board Meeting agenda packet. The draft initial study concluded that many of the environmental effects are less than significant or can be mitigated to less than significant if mitigation measures were implemented. The consultant’s opinion validated their earlier decision to prepare a Mitigated Negative Declaration.

• Their 18-month exclusivity period with Noria Energy, an energy developer, was allowed to expire.

• Staff was directed to seek consultant proposals for an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) process.

• At the May 15th Administration and Finance committee meeting, the General Manager said that the renewable energy consultant would be moving ahead of the EIR, validating Director Ron Morrison’s words, “kicking the can down the road.”

• The General Manager said the floating solar project was “on hold” on May 28th.

• The authorization to hire a Renewable Energy Manager consultant happened in May.

• A task about the floating solar project specifically was removed from the draft Fiscal Year 2025-26 Strategic Plan detailed work plan before approval. Two tasks mentioning renewable energy remained [to be completed by June 2026.]

Consider lease agreements (e.g., renewable energy projects) and public/private partnerships to leverage Authority assets to generate revenue.

Complete draft of the Renewable Energy Plan that addresses multiple scenarios to achieve carbon neutrality identifying cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities, assessing associated regulatory and funding considerations, and providing recommendations to enhance system reliability and operational sustainability.

• On June 11th, the General Manager explained that the Governing Board had not directed him to stop “that [floating solar] project” to justify a $200,000 line item in his recommended budget. Yet, several Board Members acknowledged the project was “paused” [until the renewable energy consultant weighed in.]

• The Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget included $100,000 for the renewable energy consultant and $200,000 for floating solar environmental tasks.

From a political perspective nothing has changed. The individuals who recommended

and supported floating solar panels on Sweetwater Reservoir to meet renewable energy

goals and to maximize assets remain the same. Those Sweetwater Authority Governing

Board Members [a majority] are:

Chair Manny Delgado,

Vice Chair Ditas Yamane [also on the San Diego Community Power Board,]

Steve Castaneda,

Hector Martinez, and

Paulina Martinez-Perez.

Lastly, local floating solar opposition caught the attention of a young master’s student this year. Her [16-minute video] capstone project “Renewable energy and local opposition: A story of floating solar in San Diego” is posted on You Tube.

This is my final update.

Please direct “floating solar on Sweetwater Reservoir” questions to:

• Angel Marquez*, Public Affairs Manager, Sweetwater Authority, (619) 409-6770, cell (619) 942-2902, amarquez@sweetwater.org

• Israel Marquez, Land and Environmental Manager, Sweetwater Authority, imarquez@sweetwater.org or web portal

If the agency response is lacking, contact Elizabeth Cox, South Bay Water Division 5 Director. She has requested that the agency’s website be updated on many occasions.

* Mr. Marquez is familiar with the community interest. He was U.S. Senator Alex Padilla’s field representative before joining the Sweetwater Authority. He attended a “Save Sweetwater Reservoir” community meeting last December in that role.

Written by Karen Henry, P.E. | August 15, 2025

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