Desert View Power, Riverside County, California

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Facility Background

Desert View Power LLC (DVP) operates a biomass electrical generation power plant located approximately 40 miles southeast of Palm Springs in Riverside County, California on tribal Cabazon Band of Cahuilla Indians land. It was Colmac Energy Inc. in 1992, and in 2011 was acquired by Greenleaf Power and was renamed to DVP.

The DVP plant generated electricity by burning organic material such as wood waste and agricultural byproducts into electricity. The power plant burned fuel in a furnace that generated heat used in two boilers, creating high pressure steam that spun a turbine connected to a generator to create electricity. The power plant exclusively supplied electricity to the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) under a power purchase agreement.

On April 30, 2024, Greenleaf Power publicly announced a business decision to idle the Desert View Power Plant on their website.

Why is EPA Involved?

EPA is involved in ensuring the power plant follows permit and regulatory requirements and to protect community health. EPA has primary authority for ensuring the power plant follows all federal laws and regulations in the Clean Air Act since the power plant is on the Cabazon Band of Cahuilla Indians Reservation, which is federally recognized Tribal land.

Biomass power facilities primarily emit nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfer dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOC). These are common byproducts of burning biomass fuel. Some of these pollutants can contribute to smog, respiratory problems, and other environmental and health issues if these are not properly controlled.

In 2021, an EPA inspection found that the power plant was releasing excessive emissions of pollutants, which prompted further investigation. When the facility failed to comply with regulations or the conditions in its air permit, EPA took enforcement action by issuing a Notice of Violation (NOV) to the facility.

What is EPA Doing Now?

EPA issued an Notice of Violation (NOV) to DVP in June 2024 after reviewing years’ worth of emission reports. This is the first step in enforcement action to seek compliance from a power plant.

The NOV alleges violations of emission exceedances of several pollutants (hydrochloric acid, mercury, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, and opacity). The facility has an opportunity to request additional information regarding EPA’s alleged violations and for EPA to evaluate next enforcement steps.

EPA is currently in settlement negotiations with DVP as part of the enforcement process.

Who are EPA’s regulatory partners?

The Cabazon Band of Cahuilla Indians (Cabazon), is directly involved in overseeing the power plant as the Tribal Government. Cabazon owns the land where the power plant is located. EPA involves Cabazon as a key partner by following intergovernmental policies that include consultation and regular coordination with the Tribal government on regulatory matters. The Tribe also participates in enforcement matters by reporting concerns, sharing local knowledge, and joining EPA during inspections. However, EPA retains final authority over enforcement actions on Tribal land. EPA acts consistently with the federal trust responsibility by offering Cabazon the opportunity to provide meaningful input on EPA activities and actions that may affect the Tribe or their resources. Learn more about EPA Policy on Consultation with Indian Tribes.

On a local level, the air district, South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) monitors air quality, inspects the power plant, and can collect emission fees.

On a statewide level, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has direct control over mobile sources, such as trucks and vehicles. CARB is primarily involved in broader air quality initiatives, community engagement, and statewide outreach, and does not have regulatory authority over the power plant itself.

Learn More

Residents can report concerns or complaints about odors, emissions, or other issues by calling EPA hotline or submitting a complaint on EPA website, reaching out the local air district, or attending public meetings organized by local community groups.

California Air Resources Board (CARB)

South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD)

Riverside County Department of Public Health

Eastern Coachella Valley Community Steering Committee

Documents

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Aerial map of Desert View Power (DVP), Riverside County, California
Click image to enlarge

Contact

Yvezee Lapada
lapada.yvezeeNikita@epa.gov

Julia Giarmoleo
giarmoleo.julia@epa.gov 

Resources

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Last updated on April 10, 2026