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Volume 169 • Issue 55 | 75¢
mtdemocrat.com
Monday, May 11, 2020
Microgrids coming to Pollock Pines, Georgetown
Read between the pines
n Will keep heart of those
communities up and running in event of PG&E power shutoff Dawn Hodson Staff writer
Democrat photos by Krysten Kellum
Volunteers with Pollock Pines-Camino Rotary, Friends of the Library, Dogwood Garden Club and the Community Economic Development Association of Pollock Pines have been hard at work improving Judy Morgan Park in Pollock Pines this spring. After planting dozens of iris donated by Blue Bird Haven Iris Garden in Somerset, hefting river rock to form a dry creek and building a little free library, Cathy and Dennis Staller, Carol and Bob Game, Pat Schoggins and Lea Snowden, from left, now welcome all to their little oasis beneath the pines whether it’s to pick up a book at the mini-library, take a four-legged friend on a walk or enjoy a picnic in the shade. Judy Morgan was a beloved teacher at Camino School who passed away in 2012, leaving behind a legacy of community pride for the Pollock Pines-Camino area.
Bob Game, left photo, was instrumental in crafting the “Free Little Library.” Take a book and leave a book to share a love of reading. A dry creekbed, right photo, winds through the picnic area.
PG&E is planning to build two microgrids — one in Georgetown and another in Pollock Pines. They are designed to provide electricity to certain customers and shared community resources during future power shutoffs. The microgrid backup generation site in Georgetown will be located near the intersection of South and Orleans streets. PG&E will be able to rapidly connect mobile generators to the site, allowing the downtown district to remain energized during PG&E shutdowns. That includes the fire station, gas station, radio station, post office, bank, community center, markets, hotels and restaurants, among other businesses, facilities and community services. The Georgetown temporary microgrid energization zone includes approximately 50 PG&E customers in the general vicinity of Main Street, extending between Harkness Street and Georgetown Road (Highway 193). The microgrid backup generation site in Pollock Pines will be located at the First Baptist Church Of Pollock Pines on the corner of North Street and Pony Express Trail. It will provide their downtown district with electricity in the event of a power shutoff. That includes the fire station, pharmacy, bank, markets, hardware store, electric vehicle charging stations and restaurants, among other businesses, facilities and community services. The Pollock Pines temporary microgrid energization zone includes more than 50 customers along Pony Express Trail, extending between North Street and Center View Drive. PG&E said that weather conditions and other operational considerations prevent PG&E from guaranteeing electricity to all customers potentially served by these temporary microgrids if high fire-risk conditions or scenarios arise. The utility expects construction on both
Judy Morgan Park is located along Pony Express Trail just north of the CVS Pharmacy in Pollock Pines.
n
See microgrids, page A3
SLT to send letter to gov., ease up on shelter-in-place violators Laney Griffo Tahoe Daily Tribune SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — The South Lake Tahoe City Council voted during a three-hour meeting Wednesday to send a letter to the governor and also asked law enforcement to ease up on writing citations for shelter-in-place violators. The letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom will ask to lift the restrictions in the city. El Dorado County Health Director Dr. Nancy Williams joined in by phone to answer questions from council members. She was asked whether there would be any more county directives, specifically whether the county would require people to wear masks in public. “Masks should be part of our culture,” Williams said, but added she does not foresee requiring them at this time.
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The state is expected to enter the second phase of reopening this week and the governor should be releasing a statement on what that will look like. It is likely going to include curbside pick-up for retail stores. Council member Devin Middlebrook pointed out that with South Lake Tahoe’s economy mostly centering around tourism, the reopening strategy doesn’t really fit the city’s needs. “No local is buying a neon Lake Tahoe shirt,” Middlebrook said. Mayor Pro Tem Tamara Wallace asked Williams whether she was considering the actions Nevada is taking, namely the opening of casinos. Williams said she understands the unique economy of the city and is working with health directors from counties around the basin to find a reopening strategy that would work for them. Ultimately the governor will make the final
decision, and the county can’t enter phase 3, which includes lifting the travel ban, until Newsom gives a thumbs-up. With phase 3 likely around the corner, Middlebrook wondered if it was even necessary to send the letter. City Manager Joe Irvin, in his first meeting in the position, said the letter shows unity within the county and recommended still sending it. There was also a lot of public comment in support of the city sending the letter. The council voted to send the letter, with edits from the city manager that reflect the changes in the state’s reopening strategy that have occurred since the letter was drafted. The council also directed the South Lake Tahoe Police Department to ease up on enforcement of the $1,000 administrative fee for out-of-towners although the council is still urging people to not rush to Tahoe.
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