Plumas Supervisors are conflicted over the location of the proposed solar array project set to hedge against future rising energy costs.
A representative for the solar firm Engie sat before the supervisors during their December 19th meeting, identifying seven locations that came under consideration to become the future home of the solar array.
Locations considered were county-owned properties that fit four criteria, which included parcel size large enough to offset facility energy use, land condition, PGE infrastructure proximity, and flood potential.
Sites considered were in Crescent Mills off Stampfili Lane, though the site had significant flood concerns, Gansner Airport. However, the FAA would have the final say if the project were to move forward; the Old Landfill at Snbake Lake, yet infrastructure was not in place, Radio Hill, which did not have enough flat land to accommodate the appropriate array necessary, and lastly, a parcel by the courthouse annex building that checked all the boxes.
Hagwood shared community concerns about the solar array’s proximity to homes and businesses if this site were to be dedicated to the project. He encouraged county staff to take the time to identify the ‘very best location’ for the project with other interests included, without limiting it to county-owned property. Hagwood stated there are better locations for this project accomplished through other means of county control.
Per the Engie Representative, the supervisors must work against a February 15th deadline, narrowing the window of opportunity to identify a new location. The rep stated a site must be at least 3 to 4 acres to offset up to 44 additional meters throughout the county.
The benefit of the annex site is that it falls within the required minimum of 3 acres. As County Administrative Officer Debora Lucero stated, it is already an alternative energy site with a biomass plant and geothermal wells.
Lucero stressed this project is a “way to finance the county’s future. The current HVAC systems are at the end of their life, with county staff duct-taping the old system together as replacement parts are difficult to come by. Lucero added that the solar project would replace these antiquated systems over two years.”
The project will not have initial upfront costs to the county but will be financed through Engie, who will receive energy cost savings over several years to pay off the debt. The county is estimated to pay 1 million in PGE costs alone.
Plumas Forest Supervisor Chris Carlton was present during the meeting. He offered an option to consider using federally owned US Forest Service land and 21-plus acres above the annex, including an old orchard.
A motion was made to ‘closely scrutinize’ the 21 acres over the coming days set to return to the supervisors for approval.
