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County hears plan to update renewable energy policy, weighs land acquisition and new technologies
Summary
County staff presented updates to the Renewable Energy Conservation Element (REIS), highlighted capacity constraints and rising demand from data centers and electrification, and proposed options including REIS updates, targeted federal land partnerships, community choice aggregation and new technologies; the board asked staff to return with an ad hoc recommendation (no policy vote).
San Bernardino County supervisors heard an 18‑slide workshop on April 7 outlining constraints on the local grid and options for updating the county’s Renewable Energy Conservation Element (REIS).
Acting Deputy Executive Officer Derek Armstrong told the board the county faces growing demand tied to industrial growth, data centers and electrification and that “if capacity doesn't keep up with demand, we will see increasing delays in interconnection,” a risk that can slow job growth and deter employers. Armstrong said the county ranks sixth in energy consumption statewide and described how aging infrastructure and wildfire‑related shutoffs are straining reliability.
Land Use Services Director Miguel Figueroa reviewed the REIS, first adopted in 2017, and said staff found progress on efficiency and regulatory alignment but gaps in innovation and community‑centered renewable development. He recommended strengthening early community engagement, encouraging agrivoltaics and adding wildlife‑permeable fencing and vegetated buffers to reduce ecological impacts.
CEO Luther Snoke framed three possible county roles: updating REIS over a one‑ to 1.5‑year public process to align with state mandates; evaluating targeted federal land acquisition or partnerships to concentrate large projects on suitable parcels; and reexamining county energy positions to consider community choice aggregation, microgrids, hydrogen, or small modular nuclear only if and when state or federal policy and safety proof points allow.
Board members voiced support for a proactive, measured approach. Supervisor Hagman urged the county to “be at the table” with cities and federal partners because much of the High Desert land is federally owned and private parcels are scarce. Vice Chair Baca praised the outreach goals and stressed educating residents about safety and siting. Several supervisors stressed vetting how projects would benefit local residents and businesses and noted the need for complementary infrastructure such as fiber for data‑intensive employers.
Staff described California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard targets — 60 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and 100 percent by 2045 — as a driver of the update and said that the REIS refresh should prioritize community compatibility and conservation while supporting economic competitiveness.
No action or ordinance was adopted; the item was received for the file. The board asked staff to agendize a proposed ad hoc committee and return with a recommendation and additional analysis before any formal policy changes or land transactions are pursued.
