Boron's Story: A Decade of Broken Promises
How Kern County supervisors allowed the largest taxpayers in the region to operate within a mile of Boron while providing $0 in guaranteed community benefits.
CalEnviroScreen 4.0 and State Water Board criteria indicate that Boron/Desert Lake meets disadvantaged community definitions based on income and environmental burdens.
The Numbers That Tell the Story
Despite generating over $1.14 BILLION in tax revenue over 20 years,
Boron gets almost nothing back.
Timeline of Neglect: County Promises vs. Solar Approvals
A decade of broken promises: Kern County approves billions in renewable energy infrastructure while leaving Boron's documented needs unfunded. All facts verified with clickable sources.
Boron Revitalization Vision Plan Adopted
County PromiseKern County approves comprehensive plan promising sidewalks, Safe Routes to School, bicycle lanes, transit access, façade upgrades, blight removal, and park improvements. County records later show multiple items marked as 'No Activity.'
Boron Vision Plan (PDF, 92 pages)Boron Economic Development Strategic Plan
County PromiseCounty commits to Revitalize Boron Leadership Team, medical campus, housing redevelopment, streetscape improvements, business incentives, and water/sewer infrastructure funding. Many items tracked as 'No Activity.'
Lift Station Crisis
Documented NeglectCritical wastewater lift station requires $60,000-$90,000 for short-term fix. Long-term solution (second lift station) costs $700,000-$845,000. Current 7.5 HP pump insufficient; needs 15-20 HP pump and 12-inch pipe. Timeline: 4-6 months. Status: UNFUNDED.
Lift Station Technical Specs (DOCX, 5 pages)Aratina Solar Center Approved (Both Phases)
Solar ApprovalKern County Board of Supervisors UNANIMOUSLY approves Aratina Solar Center (350 MW solar + 238 MW storage on approximately 2,300 acres near Boron and Desert Lake). County and CEQA approvals permit up to 530 MW solar and 600 MW storage. Tax revenue goes to Kern County General Fund (NOT directly to Boron). No Community Benefits Agreement. Charitable donations: toys, books, gym equipment (amounts undisclosed).
Kern County Planning RecordsEdwards AFB: $3.1 Billion Annual Impact Bypasses Boron
Tax RevenueEdwards Air Force Base generates $3.1B annually ($874M payroll, $1.4B expenditures, 11,570 indirect jobs worth $805M). Primary beneficiaries: Lancaster, Palmdale, Rosamond, California City, Tehachapi (where workers live). Boron listed as 'other affected area' but NOT primary beneficiary.
Edwards AFB Economic Impact Analysis FY2023 (PDF)Hydrostor: $1.76 Billion Loan Benefits Rosamond, Not Boron
Tax RevenueWillow Rock Energy Storage (500 MW, 4,000 MWh) receives $1.76B DOE loan guarantee. Located near ROSAMOND (~25 miles from Boron). Economic impact: $500M+, 700+ construction jobs, 25-40 permanent jobs. Primary beneficiaries: Rosamond, California City, Mojave. Boron mentioned as 'affected area' but not primary.
Hydrostor Willow Rock Project PagePhase 2 State Permit - Last Leverage Point
Solar ApprovalAratina Phase 2 awaits California Incidental Take Permit No. 2081-2024-038-04 from California Department of Fish & Wildlife. This is the FINAL opportunity for community leverage before Phase 2 construction begins.
Kern County Planning - Aratina Phase 2The Pattern is Clear
Invested in 2014 Vision Plan Projects
Aratina Tax Revenue → County General Fund
Total Regional Economic Activity Annually
Boron's Guaranteed Share: $0
For over a decade, Kern County has approved billions in renewable energy infrastructure while systematically ignoring Boron's documented needs. All economic activity dependent on county discretion or charitable giving. The 2025 state permit is the final chance to demand accountability.
Where Does the Money Go?
$3.6+ billion in annual economic activity flows through the region. Boron hosts or neighbors all these projects, yet receives no guaranteed share.
Total Annual Economic Activity in Region
✓Incorporated Cities Win
- •Rosamond, California City, Tehachapi: Can levy local sales tax and control development
- •Lancaster, Palmdale: Capture Edwards AFB workforce spending ($3.1B)
- •Direct benefit mechanisms: Retail, housing, services follow workers
✗Boron Loses
- •Unincorporated status: No control over tax revenue allocation
- •All taxes → County General Fund: County decides allocation
- •No retail base: Workers don't live or shop in Boron
- •Distance matters: 35-40 miles from Edwards vs. 15 miles for Rosamond
The Result: Boron hosts a globally strategic mining operation, neighbors $3.6B+ in annual economic activity, yet depends entirely on county discretion or charitable donations for any benefit.
Who Approved This?
The Kern County Board of Supervisors had the power to negotiate a Community Benefits Agreement for Boron. They chose not to. Here are the facts.
October 12, 2021
The Kern County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the Aratina Solar Center—a 350 MW project generating $30 million in tax revenue—without negotiating a single dollar in guaranteed community benefits for Boron.
No Community Benefits Agreement
Unlike 291 other energy projects across the U.S., Boron has no legally binding agreement guaranteeing infrastructure funding, local hiring, or community programs.
No Infrastructure Funding
Boron needs $60,000-$90,000 for a lift station. The supervisors could have required Aratina to fund it. They didn't.
No Health Impact Mitigation
Thousands of western Joshua trees and associated desert habitat were removed within the Aratina footprint—residents are concerned about losing the landscape that defines this place and the windbreak against dust and Valley Fever. No funds for air quality monitoring or healthcare programs were required.
No Local Hiring Requirements
Other communities negotiate 20-30% local hiring. Boron got no such guarantee.
No Community Fund
No ongoing fund for roads, schools, emergency services, or community programs. Just charitable donations (toys, books, gym equipment) with no legal obligation.
The Aratina approval isn't an isolated incident. It's part of a decade-long pattern of Kern County supervisors failing to protect Boron's interests:
Boron Vision Plan Adopted—Then Abandoned
County adopted a community vision plan for Boron's future. Promises were never fulfilled.
Economic Development Plan—No Follow-Through
Another plan, more promises. Boron still waiting for results.
Aratina Approved Without CBA
$30 million project, zero guaranteed benefits to Boron.
Two-Year Fight for Park Funds
Boron residents had to show up and scream and yell just to get their share of park funds for a baseball field kids could play on without getting hurt. It took two years.
Rio Tinto Exits—Boron Gets Nothing
After decades of operation, Rio Tinto announces sale of $2 billion Boron mine. No infrastructure legacy, no community fund, just a tailings mountain.
The Health Cost of "Clean" Energy
Thousands of western Joshua trees and other desert plants were removed in and around the Aratina project area. Residents are worried about losing the landscape that defines this place—and Boron's windbreak against dust and Valley Fever.
Valley Fever is a serious fungal lung infection caused by breathing in Coccidioides spores from dust in California's desert regions. The disease thrives in areas like Boron with low rainfall, high summer temperatures, and disturbed soil.
Symptoms
- • Fever and cough
- • Chest pain and fatigue
- • Headache and rash
- • Joint pain (desert rheumatism)
- • Can become chronic or disseminated (life-threatening)
Risk Factors
- • Living in endemic areas (like Boron)
- • Exposure to dust from construction/excavation
- • Outdoor workers
- • Weakened immune systems
- • Pregnant women, elderly, children
The Aratina Connection
Thousands of western Joshua trees removed within the Aratina footprint served as Boron's windbreakhelping prevent construction dust from flowing directly into the community. Now:
- ✗ No natural barrier against dust
- ✗ Increased exposure to airborne fungal spores
- ✗ Higher Valley Fever risk for residents
- ✗ No health monitoring or mitigation required by county
- ✗ No funds for air purifiers or HEPA filters
Boron needs independent, third-party air quality monitoring—not controlled by the county or the companies causing the dust. We're calling on clean air advocacy organizations to help us document the health impacts.
What We Need
- • Real-time PM2.5 and PM10 dust monitors
- • Coccidioides spore sampling
- • Community health surveys
- • Public data dashboard
- • Regular reporting to residents
Who Can Help
- • Coalition for Clean Air
- • Breathe California
- • Environmental Defense Fund
- • University research programs
- • Community air monitoring networks
If you represent an air quality monitoring organization or research institution, we need your help.
Contact Us to HelpSince the companies that destroyed our windbreak won't provide health mitigation, we're asking for donations of air purifiers with HEPA filters to protect Boron residents—especially children, elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.
What HEPA Filters Do
High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters trap 99.97% of particles0.3 microns or larger, including:
- • Dust and construction particulates
- • Fungal spores (including Coccidioides)
- • Pollen and allergens
- • Bacteria and mold
Priority Recipients
- • Families with children
- • Elderly residents
- • People with asthma or COPD
- • Immunocompromised individuals
- • Pregnant women
- • Outdoor workers
How to Help
If you can donate air purifiers, HEPA filters, or funding for a community air purifier program:
Join the EffortLearn more: HEPA Filters Explained • Do Air Purifiers Help with Dust?
While we're grateful for community support, let's be clear: Boron residents shouldn't have to rely on charity to breathe clean air. The companies and county that created this health risk should be required to fund:
✓ Air Quality Monitoring
Real-time dust and spore tracking
✓ HEPA Filter Program
Free air purifiers for all Boron households
✓ Health Screening
Regular Valley Fever testing for residents
✓ Medical Care Fund
Coverage for Valley Fever treatment
The county approved this project knowing the health risks. They should have required these protections.
Demand Health Protections for Boron
Tell Kern County supervisors to require health mitigation for all future projects—and retroactively for Aratina.
Take Action NowThis Pattern Must End
Boron has been systematically excluded from the benefits of economic development in our region. The county supervisors have failed us for over a decade. It's time to demand accountability and fair treatment.