By Leslie Andrews 

YUCCA VALLEY, CA- As promised to the community of Yucca Valley, the proposed WalMart SuperCenter has gotten the green light to go ahead and proceed, after the Center for Biological Diversity settled a lawsuit brought against the company over possible global warming impacts caused by the construction of the center.As part of the settlement, WalMart will be required to install three rooftop solar facilities of about 250 kilowatts, to incorporate cutting-edge efficiency measures into the design of the proposed stores, and implement a refrigerant audit and improvement program at certain existing stores in California. The lawsuits challenged the company over the projects for failure to properly consider measures to reduce the greenhouse gas pollution resulting from building the Supercenters.

“This settlement is yet another example of the California Environmental Quality Act working to improve new development, reduce greenhouse gas pollution, save energy, save money, and promote a vibrant green economy,” said Matt Vespa, a senior attorney with the Center’s Climate Law Institute. “The settlement raises the bar for future projects. If big-box stores are to be built in California, measures like the installation of solar-power systems must be adopted to minimize the project’s greenhouse gas pollution.”

In a letter sent to the Town of Yucca Valley obtained by Desert Local News, it is also agreed that the environmental groups shall not disrupt the opening of the supercenter, scheduled for two years from now. This settlement also includes a $120,000 check payable to the Mojave Desert Land Trust for the purpose of land conservation. Plus, the town acknowledges the right of the Coalition for Environmental Integrity to endorse a ballot initiative prohibiting development of future super centers.

Plans to expand the current WalMart store in Yucca Valley into a SuperCenter have been in the works since 2008. This location, like all others in Southern California, is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.