SECTION 2.0 – PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
This Section provides a description of the Proposed Project. The Project location, background, and
objectives are described, followed by a description of the Proposed Project, alternatives, and a summary
of Project approvals that would be required. Information provided in this section is based on technical
studies, mapping, figures, and the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) # 12-009 application provided by the
Applicant.
2.1
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Established in 2002 under Senate Bill 1078 and accelerated in 2006 under Senate Bill 107, California’s
Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires that 20 percent of electricity retail sales be served by
renewable energy resources by 2010 (CEC 2012). Per the California Energy Commission (CEC), in 2008
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an Executive Order (S-14-08), which increased that target to 33
percent by the year 2020. Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill (SB) X1-2 into law in 2011. This new
RPS applies to all California utilities, including publicly owned utilities (POUs), investor-owned utilities,
electricity service providers, and community choice aggregators.
PV technology makes it possible to utilize solar energy, a type of renewable energy. PV technology
converts photons into DC electricity. The electrons flow out of the solar panel and into an inverter and
other electrical safety devices. The inverter converts that DC electricity into AC electricity. The Proposed
Project is a solar generation facility using PV technology proposed by IVSC 2, LLC.
On April 5, 2012, IVSC 2, LLC submitted an application for a CUP to ICPDS. The CUP was submitted to
allow construction and operation of a solar PV electric generation facility in Imperial County near the IID
Niland Substation.
2.2
PROJECT LOCATION AND SETTING
2.2.1
Location
The Proposed Project site is found approximately one-half mile northeast of Niland, California, in the
County of Imperial (see Figure ES-1, Project Vicinity Map). The Proposed Project site is located at 8201
Cuff Road just south of the IID East Highline Canal (see Figure ES-2, Project Location Map). The Proposed
Project site is bounded by Cuff Road to the east, Weist Road and the IID East Highline Canal to the north,
the IVSC 1 solar power generation facility to the south, and agricultural land to the west.
2.2.2
Project Site
Approximately 158.8 acres (0.28 square mile) in size, the Proposed Project site is privately owned and
has been leased to the Applicant pursuant to a long-term lease agreement. The topography of the
Proposed Project site and the vicinity is generally flat and slopes gently to the southwest with an about
1 percent gradient. Historically farmed for the production of okra, the Proposed Project site is currently
fallowed and devoid of any structures or substantial vegetation. (see Figures ES-4, Project Site Existing
Conditions).
2.2.3
General Plan Designation/Zoning
Under the Imperial County Land Use Plan, updated March 1, 2007, the Proposed Project site is
designated as Agriculture and zoned A-2-G (General Agriculture/Geothermal Overlay) under the Imperial
County Zoning Index Map, 2007 (see Figure ES-5, Niland Area Zoning Map).
2.2.4
Adjacent Land Uses
Existing land uses in the immediate vicinity of the Project site include: to the south, IVSC 1, a solar PV
energy generation facility, on land zoned for general agriculture and light industrial use within the
Niland Urban Area (A2U and M1U); the IID Niland Gas Turbine Plant; and the existing IID Niland
Substation. The Proposed Project site is surrounded to the east, north, and west by a large patchwork of
agricultural uses and open space. The IID East Highline Canal, a rural residential use, and Weist Road
border the Proposed Project site to the north. Cuff Road and the Niland water production facilities
border the Proposed Project site to the east. See Figures ES-6 through ES-9, Adjacent Land Uses.
Additional rural residential uses are located approximately 0.3 mile to the southeast. The town of Niland
is located approximately one-half mile to the southwest.
2.3
PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The proposed Imperial Valley Solar Company 2 Project has the following objectives:
Construct and operate a solar energy facility capable of 60,000 MWh of electricity per annum;
Meet the terms and requirements of the long-term power purchase agreement between IVSC 2,
LLC and IID;
Support California’s RPS by generating electricity from a renewable energy source; and
Construct and operate a solar power facility with minimal impacts to the environment.
2.4
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Applicant proposes to develop a nominal 30-MW
AC2.4.1
Photovoltaic (PV) Modules
solar PV energy generation project on 158.8
acres of land in Imperial County, California, located approximately one-half mile northeast of Niland,
(see Figure ES-3, Project Vicinity Map and Figure ES-4, Project Site Existing Conditions). The Proposed
Project will also include an underground transmission line interconnection
to the IID Niland Substation.
The Proposed Project will generate approximately 60,000 MWh of electricity per annum. The 13.2- kV or
92-kV transmission line will interconnect to the IID Niland Substation, located on Beal Road
approximately 2,700 feet from the southwest corner of the Proposed Project site. IID will purchase
output from the Proposed Project pursuant to a long-term power purchase agreement executed in
December 2011.
The Proposed Project will employ solar PV technology that would convert sunlight into DC electricity.
The proposed PV modules will be approximately 40 by 60 inches and will be fitted in 2 rows on metal
racks which will tilt to capture the maximum amount of solar insolation. The metal racking system will
include steel foundation posts set in concrete foundations, cross beams, and support beams. The height
of the PV system will be approximately 6 to 8 feet above grade, which will vary according to the
underlying topography. The metal racks will be aligned in spaced rows to maximize operational
performance and to allow access for ongoing equipment maintenance. Pole-to-pole spacing of the racks
will be approximately 20 to 25 feet for maximum energy yield. The PV system will be arranged in large
arrays, and each large array will have an electrical output of approximately 1.0 MW
AC2.4.2
Electrical Power Collection System/Lines
.
Electricity generated by the PV modules will be collected by a 600-volt or 1,000-volt DC collection
system attached to the racks. This electrical energy will be routed to an array combiner box that is
expected to be located at the mid-point of each row of PV modules. The DC power cables will then be
routed underground in conduit. Electricity will be transmitted underground from the array combiner box
to AC inverters. Electricity from the inverters will flow to AC step-up transformers which will raise the
voltage to 13.2 kV. This reduces the power losses associated with intra-site cabling as the power is
routed to the point of interconnection. Inverters and transformers will be centrally located on a
concrete pad within each 1.0-megawatt solar array. Underground 13.2-kV or 92kV collection lines will
transmit electricity from the transformers to the point of interconnection with the power grid at the
Niland Substation.
2.4.3
Switchyard
A switchyard containing switchgear and an additional step-up transformer may be required, depending
on the final design of the interconnection process with the IID Niland Substation.
2.4.4
Transmission Lines
A 2,700-foot underground transmission line at 13.2 kV (or 92 kV if the aforementioned switchyard is
required) will be constructed from the southwest corner of the Proposed Project site to the existing
Niland Substation and will be constructed in the IID ROW.
2.4.5
Access
The Proposed Project site will be accessed by vehicle via a new driveway on the west side of the site.
The driveway will be unpaved and will be approximately 30 feet in width. Construction and operations
traffic will access the site via SR-111 to Noffsinger Road, to Commercial Avenue, Main Street/Beal Road,
and finally Cuff Road, where the proposed project driveway will be located.
2.4.6
Security
Security fencing will be installed around the perimeter of the Proposed Project site, and site access will
be limited to approved site workers. This fencing will consist of 8-foot-high chain link fencing, similar to
that of the fencing around the IVSC 1 facility immediately to the south of the Project site (see Figure
ES-3, IVSC1 Facility). As with fencing for the IVSC 1 facility, the Proposed Project fencing will have privacy
slats of a similar color to the surrounding terrain. In addition, a motion detection system and
closed-circuit camera will also be installed. The site will be remotely monitored 24 hours per day, 7 days per
week.
2.4.7
Lighting
Lighting will be restricted to areas required for safety, security, and operation. Light will be directed
onsite and will incorporate shielding as necessary to minimize illumination of the night sky and potential
impacts to surrounding viewers.
2.5
PROJECT CONSTRUCTION
Construction activities will primarily involve coarse grading, fine grading to establish construction access
roads and pads for electrical equipment (inverters and step-up transformers), trenching for
underground collection and transmission lines, and the installation of solar equipment and security
fencing. The entire site will be paved with Class II Base Coarse paving materials. Internal routes will be
maintained as necessary if they are to be used during construction of the Proposed Project. Water for
construction (primarily for dust control) will be obtained from either IID or Golden State Water
Company. Construction duration is expected to last approximately 350 days.
Up to 25 acre-feet of water will be used for dust control over the course of construction of the Proposed
Project. Additionally, 20 acre-feet of water will be used for site grading and other construction activities.
2.5.1
Construction Workers
The number of onsite construction workers is not expected to exceed 120 workers at any one time.
These workers are expected to include approximately 31 metal and general construction workers, 80
electricians, and 9 supervisors. It is expected that approximately 90 to 95 percent of the workers will
come from Imperial County. The remaining workers are expected to come from San Diego County.
2.5.2
Construction Equipment/Materials
Construction of the Proposed Project will involve the use of a slip plow, motor grader, two Caterpillar
623 scrapers, pickup trucks, and two 2,000-gallon water trucks.
The PV modules will be shipped from Asia to the Port of Long Beach. They will be delivered to the
Proposed Project site by truck. The majority of the remaining construction materials is expected to be
shipped by truck from other parts of the United States.
2.5.3
Staging Area
Temporary construction laydown, construction trailers, and parking areas will be located within the
Proposed Project site and periodically relocated within the solar field acreage as the solar field is built
out.
2.5.4
Site Operations
Two employees will be onsite on a daily basis to monitor the facility and maintain the solar equipment.
The public will not have access to the facility. Access to the proposed facility will be limited.
Periodic spray washing of the PV modules will be required to remove dust to maintain power generation
efficiency. Approximately 2.5 acre-feet of water would be required annually for cleaning/washing the PV
panels. The Applicant is currently exploring alternative water supplies. The Applicant anticipates that
water will be provided by Golden State Water Company from its existing supply pipeline adjacent to the
Proposed Project site or by IID.
2.6
REQUIRED PERMITS AND APPROVALS
2.6.1
Lead Agency Approval
The Final EIR must be certified by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors (Board) for its adequacy to
comply with the requirements of CEQA before any action is taken on the Proposed Project. The Board
will consider the information contained in the EIR in making a decision to approve or deny the Imperial
Valley Solar Company 2 Project (Proposed Project). The analysis in the EIR is intended to provide full
disclosure of the Proposed Project’s potential environmental impacts in accordance with CEQA
requirements.
2.6.2
Other Required Permits and Approvals
A Responsible Agency is a public agency, other than the lead agency, that has discretionary approval
authority over a project. The Responsible Agencies, and their corresponding approvals, for this Project
include the following:
Imperial County Planning Commission (project approval)
Imperial County Public Health Department Environmental Health Service Section (Sewage
System Permitting)
Imperial Irrigation District (encroachment permits, water/power permits)
Regional Water Quality Control Board, Colorado River Basin Region 7 (Storm Water Pollution
Prevention Plan)
2.6.3
Reviewing Agencies
Reviewing Agencies include those agencies that do not have discretionary powers but that may review
the EIR for adequacy. Potential Reviewing Agencies include the following:
State of California
Office of Historic Preservation
Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
Resources Agency
Department of Conservation, Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources
Native American Heritage Commission
State Lands Commission
California Highway Patrol
Regional Agencies
2.7
CUMULATIVE SCENARIO
Cumulative impacts refer to the combined effects of Proposed Project impacts with the impacts of other
past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects. Both CEQA and the
CEQA Guidelines
require
that cumulative impacts be analyzed in an EIR. As set forth in the
CEQA Guidelines
, the discussion of
cumulative impacts must reflect the severity of the impacts as well as the likelihood of their occurrence;
however, the discussion need not be as detailed as the discussion of environmental impacts attributable
to the project alone. As stated in CEQA, “a project may have a significant effect on the environment if
the possible effects of a project are individually limited but cumulatively considerable.”
According to the
CEQA Guidelines
:
“Cumulative impacts” refer to two or more individual effects which, when considered together, are
considerable and which compound or increase other environmental impacts.
The individual effects may be changes resulting from a single project or a number of separate
projects.
The cumulative impact from several projects is the change in the environment which results
from the incremental impact of the proposed project when added to other closely related past,
present, and reasonably foreseeable probably future projects. Cumulative impacts can result
from individually minor but collectively significant projects taking place over a period of time.”
In addition, as stated in the
CEQA Guidelines
, it should be noted that:
“The mere existence of significant cumulative impacts caused by other projects alone shall not
constitute substantial evidence that the proposed project’s incremental effects are cumulatively
considerable.”
Cumulative impact discussions for each issue area are provided in the technical analyses contained
within Section 4.0, Environmental Analysis.
As previously stated, and set forth in the
CEQA Guidelines
, related projects consist of “closely related,
past, present, and reasonably foreseeable probable future projects that would likely result in similar
impacts and are located in the same geographic area.” Based on a review of area project data from the
County of Imperial Planning and Development Services, 61 area projects were identified, as shown in
Table 2-1. Figure 2-1, Cumulative Projects Map shows the approximate location of these projects.
Table 2-1: Existing and Foreseeable Projects within the Vicinity of the Proposed Project
Map No. Project Name/ Application # Project Location Applicant Owner/ Project Description Summary Project Type Status (Approx) Distance Mile(s) Existing Projects
E1 Niland Gas Turbine Plant Northeast of Niland, Imperial
County IID
93-MW simple-cycle power plant on a 22-acre site adjacent to IID's
existing Niland Substation. Energy Existing 1
E2 IV SolarCUP 10-0014 16 Niland area, Imperial County Company IV Solar 23 MW solar energy project within 123 acres. Energy Existing. Under
construction. 1 E3 Hudson Ranch I Geothermal Project CUP#007-0019 Calipatria/Niland area, Imperial County 5 Hudson Ranch Power I, LLC
49.9-MW geothermal power plant. Plant facility occupies 65 acres; 1,607 acres of private land leased by the geothermal mineral rights holders. Energy Existing. Commenced Operations March 2012. 9 E4 CE Turbo, J.J. Elmore, J.M. Leathers, Vulcan, Del Ranch, Salton Sea 1-5 Geothermal Projects West of Calipatria, Imperial County 25 CE Generation, LLC
Projects were developed adjacent to one another between 1986 and 2000. Combined power output of 327 MW.
Energy Existing 11
E5 ORNI 1824 North Brawley, Imperial County ORNI #18, LLC (Ormat) 49.9-MW geothermal power plant. Energy Existing 22
E6 El Centro Unit 3 Repower Project (7)
El Centro; Imperial
County IID
Replace an existing steam-generating unit within the site of the existing El Centro Generating Station (ECGS). The repower project will increase the existing Unit 3 generating capacity by 84 MW from
Map No. Project Name/ Application # Project Location Applicant Owner/ Project Description Summary Project Type Status (Approx) Distance Mile(s) 44 MW to 128 MW. E7 Ormat Continuing Operations CA-670-2006-12 Geothermal
Leases:2 SR-115 and I-8, Imperial County (East Mesa) CACA 000966 CACA 001903 CACA 006218 CACA 006217 CACA 017568 CACA 006219 ORRE- SOURCES Geothermal
Geothermal energy development
leases. Energy Existing 41
E8 Heber Complex Geothermal Projects (Heber 1, Heber 2, Heber South) Heber, Imperial 25 Ormat
Projects were developed adjacent to one another and brought online between 1985 and 2008. Combined power output of 92 MW. Energy Existing 44 E9 EUIPH Wind Farm, San Gorgonio Westwinds II, LLC, San Gorgonio Wind Plant WPP1993, Wintec Energy Ltd.
San Gorgonio Pass Area, Riverside
County Wintec, Ltd.
Multiple wind power plants, ranging
from 7.5 MW to 43 MW in size. Energy Existing 53
E10 F Line West Chocolate Mountain Evaluation Area, Imperial County IID
161-kV transmission line (Midway to Blythe). Interconnects to the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) Balancing Authority.
Map No. Project Name/ Application # Project Location Applicant Owner/ Project Description Summary Project Type Status (Approx) Distance Mile(s) E11 N-Line West Chocolate Mountain Evaluation Area, Imperial County
IID 92-kV transmission line (Midway to Coachella Valley). Connects to the
SCE Mirage Substation. Transmission Existing 6
E12 KN/KS Transmission Line Tubular Pole Replacement Project West Chocolate Mountain Evaluation Area, Imperial County 1
IID 230-kV transmission line upgrade (Highline to Mirage). Interconnects
to the SCE Mirage Substation. Transmission Existing 10
E13 SR 111 Upgrade Imperial County Imperial County
Upgrade to 6-lane freeway with interchanges at Jasper Road, McCabe Road, and Heber Road and overcrossing at Chick Road from SR-98 to I-8 (post mile R1.2 – R7.7)
Transportation Existing 15 Approved Projects A1 The Hudson Ranch II Geothermal Project Niland Area,
Imperial County Energy Source
49.9-MW geothermal development project. 54 acres of agricultural land
and 4 acres of nonagricultural land Energy
Active. Approved
11-Sep-12 7
A2
Chocolate Mountain
Solar15 Niland area, Imperial County CUP 10-0005
8minutenergy Renewables,
LLC
49.9-MW solar energy project within
320 acres. Energy Active. Imperial County Planning Commission approved Aug. 25, 2010. 8
A3 ORNI 19CUP 08-0023 21 Brawley area, Imperial County Ormat
49.9-MW geothermal energy project consisting of the plant being developed on one 33.7-acre parcel and 39 leased parcels encompassing approximately 3,033.2 acres that
Energy
Active. Final EIR published May 2012. Approved
by BOS, September 11,
Map No. Project Name/ Application # Project Location Applicant Owner/ Project Description Summary Project Type Status (Approx) Distance Mile(s) will contain proposed wells and
pipelines. The total area of disturbance would be approximately 190 acres, which includes both the plant site and the wells and pipelines.
2012
A4 Gold Basin Wind Project2
East of the Imperial Sand Dunes in the Gold Basin area of Imperial County CACA-51947
LH Renewable, LLC.
Wind energy testing using 3 meteorological towers. Total footprint for all 3 towers is approximately 15 acres. The total ROW is 8,446 acres. Energy Active. ROW authorized 9/21/2011; expires 9/18/2014. 39 A5 Calexico Solar Farm I CUP 11-0009 and CUP 11-0010 Approximately 5 miles west of Calexico, Imperial County 13, 22, 24 88FT 8ME, LLC and 8minutenergy, Renewables, LLC
200-MW AC solar farm comprised of two 100-MW phases (A and B) on 1,013 acres of agricultural parcels. Each phase is requesting approval of a separate CUP.
Energy CUP approved 4/3/2012 44
A6 Mt. Signal Solar Farm I CUP 10-0031 2½ to 7½ miles west of Calexico, Imperial County 12, 22 82LV, 8ME, LLC
200-MW PV solar farm comprised of four agricultural parcels totaling 1,375 acres owned by Calexico West, Inc. Agricultural land uses surround the project, with the exception of the U.S.-Mexico border located directly south of Parcel II.
Energy CUP approved 4/3/2012 44
A7
Calexico Solar Farm II (CSF-II)
14 Approximately 2 miles west of
Calexico, Imperial County CUP 11-0011 and CUP 11 0012 89MA 8ME, LLC and 8minutenergy Renewables, LLC
200-MW solar project comprised of two 100-MW phases (A and B) on 1,477 acres of agricultural parcels owned by several land owners. Each phase is requesting approval of a separate CUP.
Energy CUP approved 4/3/2012 49
A8 Ocotillo Express
Map No. Project Name/ Application # Project Location Applicant Owner/ Project Description Summary Project Type Status (Approx) Distance Mile(s)
Project17 Imperial County.
CUP 10-0007 Express, LLC footprint is approximately 1,167 acres. 28, 2012. BLM Record of
Decision signed May 11, 2012. Notice To Proceed issued May 3, 2012. A9 Simbol Calipatria Plant I (SmCP-1) CUP 12-0004 Calipatria/Niland area, Imperial
County Simbol Mining
Facility to extract lithium, manganese, and zinc from geothermal brine from the adjacent Hudson Ranch I geothermal plant.
Materials
Extraction Active. Approved 11-Sep-12 9 Projects Under Review
UR1 Wister (aka ORNI 21) Geothermal Project West Chocolate Area, Imperial County 7 Ormat
A 49.9 net MW binary geothermal power plant and associated infrastructure located within 10,000 acres of private land. Project facilities would occupy approximately 194 acres of the project total project site.
Energy Active. Environmental analysis underway. 2 UR2 Energy Source Solar I & II15 Niland, Imperial County CUP 10-0032 and CUP 10-0033 Energy Source,
LLC Two adjacent 80-MW solar energy projects within a total of 960 acres. Energy
Active. Under environmental review. 4 UR3 Midway Solar Farm I & II 24 Calipatria, Imperial County CUP 10-0036 and CUP 10-0037 8minutenergy Renewables, LLC
Midway Solar I is a 50-MW solar energy project within 326 acres. Midway Solar II is a 155-MW solar energy project within 803 acres.
Energy environmental Active. Under
Map No. Project Name/ Application # Project Location Applicant Owner/ Project Description Summary Project Type Status (Approx) Distance Mile(s) UR4 Sonora Solar
15,
19 Calipatria, Imperial
County CUP 11-0026
Solar Gen II,
LLC 50-MW solar energy project within 488 acres. Energy
Active. Under environmental
review (EIR). 8
UR5 Wister SolarCUP 11-0017 15 Niland area, Imperial County 28SW 8ME, LLC 20-MW solar energy project within 148 acres. Energy environmental Active. Under
review (EIR). 8
UR6 Calipat Solar Farm I 24 Calipatria, Imperial County CUP 10-0034
8minutenergy Renewables,
LLC
One 70-MW solar energy project within a total of 609 acres of private
land. Energy
Active. Under environmental
review. 9
UR7 Arkansas Solar 15,19,20 Calipatria, Imperial
County CUP 11-0018
Solar Gen II,
LLC 50-MW solar energy project within 481 acres. Energy
Active. Under environmental
review (EIR). 9
UR8 Frink Road Solar Power15 Niland area, Imperial County CUP 10-0025 Frink Rd Solar Power Generation Station 1, LLC 30.04-MW high concentration PV
solar energy project on 280 acres. Energy On hold. 12
UR9 Black Rock Unit # 1, 2, 3
Approximately 6 miles northwest of Calipatria, Imperial County
16 Energy, LLC CE Butte 159-MW geothermal energy project within 160 acres. Energy
On hold. CEC license expired on 12/18/2011. Extension needed. 13
UR10 Black Rock Unit # 5 & 6
Approximately 6 miles northwest of Calipatria, Imperial County.
16 Energy, LLC CE Butte 255-MW geothermal energy project within 140 acres. Energy On hold. 13
UR11 Mayflower Solar 15, 19, 20 Calipatria, Imperial County CUP 11-0009
Solar Gen II,
Map No. Project Name/ Application # Project Location Applicant Owner/ Project Description Summary Project Type Status (Approx) Distance Mile(s) UR12 Alhambra Solar15 Calipatria, Imperial County
CUP 11-0020
Solar Gen II,
LLC 50-MW solar energy project within 482 acres. Energy
Active. Under environmental review (EIR). 14 UR13 West Chocolate Mountain Renewable Energy Evaluation Area (REEA) Between the eastern edge of the Salton Sea and the Chocolate Mountains;
Imperial County
BLM
Consists of an amendment(s) to the California Desert Area Conservation Plan to identify sites within the approx. 59,000-acre West Chocolate Mountain REEA as suitable for geothermal, solar, and wind energy development, subject to certain resource opportunities and constraints.
Energy Active. Draft EIS published June
2011. 18
UR14 Milpitas Wind Testing Project2 Chuckwalla Bench, Northeastern Imperial County CACA 051062
Exelon Wind LLC
5,763-acre ROW authorized for wind energy testing. Project consists of 2 meteorological towers and 1 SODAR unit. 10 acres total footprint for meteorological towers and SODAR unit.
Energy grant expires Active. ROW
9/20/13. 24
UR15 Keystone Solar Power15 Mesquite Specific Plan Area, Imperial County CUP 10-0024 Keystone Solar Power Generation Station 1, LLC
6.06-MW solar energy project within
40 acres. Energy
On hold. Under environmental
review. 26
UR16 California Ethanol Brawley (Mesquite Lake SPA), Imperial County
49.9-MW geothermal development project. 54 acres of agricultural land
and 4 acres of nonagricultural land Energy
Active. Under environmental
review. 28
UR17
Salton Sea Solar
I & II15 Calipatria, Imperial County CUP 10-0029 and CUP 10-0030 8minutenergy Renewables, LLC
Salton Sea Solar I is a 49.9-MW solar energy project within 321 acres. Salton Sea Solar II is a 100-MW solar energy project within 623 acres.
Map No. Project Name/ Application # Project Location Applicant Owner/ Project Description Summary Project Type Status (Approx) Distance Mile(s) UR18 Imperial 3400 Solar Project West of City of Imperial, Imperial
County
23 Energy 34
UR19 Imperial 4432 Solar Project West of City of Imperial, Imperial County 23 Energy 35 UR20 Truckhaven Geothermal Unit – BLM Geothermal Leases: CACA 051002 CACA 043003 CACA 042750 CACA 043002 CACA 051003 CACA 051004 CACA 051005 CACA 051006 CACA 051007 CACA 051008 CACA 042751 CACA 042752 CACA 051009 CACA 051010 CACA 051011 CACA 051012 CACA 051013 Northern portion of Truckhaven Geothermal Leasing Area 2 Calnorth Petroleum, Inc. NGP Truckhaven, LLC Geo Energy Partners 1983, LTD
Geothermal energy exploration land unit. Total acreage within new geothermal unit is approximately 40,000 and is expected to include California State lands and fee lands.19
Total acreage of all geothermal leases within the Truckhaven Geothermal is approximately 16,000 acres.2
Energy
Active. All leases within unit expire 9/30/2019. 39 UR21 Black Mountain
Wind Project2 Black Mountain
south of CMAGR, Imperial County CACA 048272 CACA 052078 Imperial Wind, LLC (Renewergy)
Wind energy testing and development for 8 meteorological towers on 15,335 acres; approximately 40 acres total footprint for meteorological towers.
Energy Active. BLM requested submission of the POD in March 2011. 42
Map No. Project Name/ Application # Project Location Applicant Owner/ Project Description Summary Project Type Status (Approx) Distance Mile(s) BLM is currently awaiting a Plan of
Development (POD) for a 48- to 65-MW wind energy facility.
Testing ROW for CACA 048272 expires 9/02/12.
UR22
Black Mountain
Wind Project2 Black Valley, near SR-78 and Ogilby Road, Imperial County CACA 047751 CACA 052435 Oro Valley Power, LLC
Wind energy testing and development for 3 meteorological towers on 11,227 acres; approximately 15 acres total footprint for meteorological towers. BLM is currently awaiting a POD for a 129.6- to 180-MW wind energy facility. Energy Active. Wind energy testing ROW expires 8/28/2013. Wind energy facility ROW authorization is currently pending. 43
UR23 Campo Verde Solar 25 Mt. Signal area,
Imperial County CUP 11-0007
USS MSS
Permits, LLC 140-MW solar energy project within 1,996 acres. Energy
Active. Under environmental
review (EIR). 44
UR24 Silverleaf Solar Project CUP 11-0023
Mt. Signal area, Imperial County
20
Silverleaf Solar,
LLC 160-MW photovoltaic solar energy project within 1,096 acres. Energy
Active. Under environmental review. 44 UR25 Imperial Solar Energy Center West Project11 Western Imperial Valley, Imperial County CUP 10-0012 CSOLAR Development, LLC 250-MW solar project on approximately 1,130 acres. Also includes a 230-kV transmission line connecting to the Imperial Valley Substation.
Energy EIR/EA published Active. Final
July 2011. 45
UR26 Wisteria Ranch Solar Western Imperial Valley, Imperial
County 3,394-acre PV project Energy
Active. Under environmental
review. 45.5
UR27 Solar Reserve Project2 BLM lands lying east of Lake Cahuilla – CACEC south of I-8 and
CACA 049884 Solar Reserve
100- to 250-MW concentrating solar thermal tower energy development
project on 4,000 acres. Energy
Active. Pending authorization;
updated POD and hydrology
Map No. Project Name/ Application # Project Location Applicant Owner/ Project Description Summary Project Type Status (Approx) Distance Mile(s) north of the All
American Canal, Imperial County
report have been received by BLM.
UR28 Centinela Solar CUP 10-00179 Calexico, Imperial County Centinela Solar Energy, LLC 275-MW PV solar project on 2,067-acres. Energy
Active. Construction slated for early
2012 48 UR29 Imperial Solar Energy Center (ISEC) South10 Western Imperial Valley, Imperial County CUP 10-0011 CSOLAR Development, LLC 200-MW solar project on approximately 946 acres. Also includes a 230-kV transmission line connecting to the Imperial Valley Substation.
Energy EIR/EA published Active. Final
April 2011. 50
UR30 Ogilby Solar Project2
West of Ogilby Road, east of railroad; Imperial County CACA 049615 Iberdrola (Pacific Solar Investments)
450-MW solar thermal (trough)
project. 7,405-acre ROW. Energy
Active. Currently pending authorization; preliminary POD to BLM. 51 UR31 Unnamed solar development on BLM-managed land Shavers Valley / I-10 Corridor in Riverside County Sierra
Renewables Solar energy development. Energy Active. 53
UR32 Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range Withdrawal Renewal Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range (CMAGR), Imperial County 3 Department of the Navy (DoN)
The CMAGR consists of approx. 459,000 acres in Riverside and Imperial counties. DoN owns 50% of CMAGR land and balance is withdrawn public lands for military training owned by BLM. Current withdrawal expires Oct. 2014. DoN has applied for new withdrawal for a 25 year period. Because withdrawal will be larger than 5,000 acres,
Military Operations
Active. Draft LEIS released for public review on
Sept. 24, 2010.
Map No. Project Name/ Application # Project Location Applicant Owner/ Project Description Summary Project Type Status (Approx) Distance Mile(s) Congress must review the proposal
under a Legislative EIS.
UR33 2010 Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area Management Plan Imperial Sand Dunes, Imperial County 4 BLM
Recreation Activity Plan addresses management of 215,000 acres of BLM-managed lands within the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. Recreation Active. Draft Recreation Area Plan/Draft EIS released for public review in March of 2010. 37
UR34 IID Managed Marsh Complex Imperial County, Salton Sea IID
A 959-acre managed marsh complex located at English and McDonald Roads. The result of mitigation for a
Quantification Settlement Agreement Water Transfer to
provide habitat for IID’s Drain Covered Species.
Restoration Active. Phase I construction is
complete. 6 UR35 Salton Sea Ecosystem Restoration Project Salton Sea, Imperial County California Natural Resources Agency
The restoration project consists of the following components: – Saline Habitat Complex in the northern and southern Sea Bed; – A Marine Sea that extends from San Felipe Creek to Bombay Beach; – Air Quality Management facilities to reduce particulate emissions from the exposed playa, – Brine Sink for discharge of salts, – Conveyance facilities, and – Sedimentation/Distribution facilities
Restoration Programmatic Active. Final
EIR complete. 14
UR36 Salton Sea Species Conservation
Riverside and
Imperial Counties California Natural Resources
This project would construct habitat configured in a series of interconnected shallow ponds within the current footprint of the
Restoration EIS/EIR published Active. Draft
Map No. Project Name/ Application # Project Location Applicant Owner/ Project Description Summary Project Type Status (Approx) Distance Mile(s)
Habitat Project Agency Salton Sea. The Project size at total
build-out would be approximately 2,400 acres, to be constructed over a period of several years depending on land availability and cost.
UR37 Niland 92/13.2-kV Substation Upgrade Project Niland, Imperial County 8 IID Installation of a new 92/13.2-kV 25-MVA substation next to existing switching station and communication site (north of Niland Substation). Removal of the existing Niland 92/13.2-kV 10-MVA transformer (156’ x 100’).
Transmission Active. Negative Declaration
Issued 1 UR38 Midway-to-Bannister Transmission Line Calipatria/Niland area, Imperial County 6 IID 230-kV transmission line, approximately 12.4 miles in length. This is a four-phase project. Phase I is 8.7 miles in length between IID’s existing Midway Substation and proposed Bannister Substation. Connects the Hudson Ranch I project to the existing Midway Substation. Transmission Active. Phase I construction completed in March 2011; Phases II and III
expected by 2013 and 2015,
respectively
2
UR39 Quantification Settlement Agreement
Imperial County,
Salton Sea IID Colorado River water allocations. allocation Water Active. 5
Sources:
1 Imperial Irrigation District. 2010. IID Draft MND/IS/EA Imperial Valley to Dixieland. 2 BLM. 2011a. LR2000 Land Records Search online database.
3 U.S. Marine Corps. 2011. CMAGR Draft LEIS Scoping Summary Report.
4 BLM 2010a. Imperial Sand Dunes Draft Recreation Area Management Plan and Draft EIS.
5 Imperial County. 2007. Hudson Ranch I Geothermal Project MND. 6 Imperial Irrigation District. 2011a. Midway to Bannister Project Fact Sheet. 7 California Energy Commission. 2006. El Centro Unit 3 Repower Project Final IS. 8 Imperial Irrigation District. 2011b. Niland 92/13.2 kV Substation Upgrade Draft Neg. Dec. 9 Imperial County. 2011b. Centinela Solar Project Draft EIR/Environmental Assessment.
10 Imperial County. 2011a. Imperial Solar Energy Center South FEIR/EA. 11 Imperial County. 2010c. Imperial Solar Energy Center West Final EIR/EA. 12 Imperial County. 2010d. Mt. Signal PV Solar CUP Application.
13 Imperial County. 2011b. Calexico Solar Farm I CUP Application. 14 Imperial County. 2011c. Calexico Solar Farm II CUP Application. 15 Imperial County. 2011d. Alternative Power Projects table.
16 California Energy Commission. 2011. Energy Facility Status Table, Updated May 14, 2012.
17 BLM. 2011c. Final EIR/EIS for the Ocotillo Express Wind Project.
18 Haerter. 2011. Telephone conversation with James Haerter, BLM CA State Office. 19 Imperial County 2011e. Imperial County Environmental Evaluation Committee Meeting
Minutes, Sept. 29, 2011.
20 Imperial County. 2011g. Silverleaf Solar LLC Conditional Use Permit Application. September 6, 2011.
21 Imperial County 2011f. Final EIR for East Brawley, May 2012.
22 Imperial County. 2011h. Final EIR for Mount Signal and Calexico Solar Farm Projects, November 2011.
23 Imperial County Solar Project’s Map, Southend Projects, Updated August 29, 2011. 24 Imperial County. 2011. Centinela Solar Project Draft. Environmental Impact Report/.
Environmental Assessment October 2011.
25 Imperial County. 2012 Campo Verde Solar Draft EIR, May 2012. Notes:
EIR: Environmental Impact Report MND: Mitigated Negative Declaration EIS: Environmental Impact Statement
LEIS: Legislative Environmental Impact Statement. EA: Environmental Assessment
