Beacon Photovoltaic Project (PP12213); CUP 11, MAP 152 (EIR 13-11 JLB)

Beacon Photovoltaic Project (PP12213); CUP 11, MAP 152 (EIR 13-11 JLB)

The Beacon Photovoltaic Project by Beacon Solar LLC (proposed project) would develop photovoltaic (PV) solar facility with about 972,000 PV solar panels that would generate 250 megawatts of renewable electrical energy on a total 2,301 acres of undeveloped and previously disturbed land, including 2,298 acres of solar arrays and 3 miles of transmission lines, in unincorporated, southeastern Kern County (within Sections 4, 8 & 9, Township 31 S, Range 37 E, MDB&M). The majority of the project site is located within the Kern County General Plan area and the northernmost portion of the site is located within the Cantil Interim Community Plan area. The project site is located four miles from CA City, 15 miles north of the unincorporated town of Majove, and less than one mile southwest of the unincorporated town of Cantil/Rancho Seco. The project site and the surrounding areas are primarily undeveloped disturbed lands, formerly used for agricultural activities. SR 14 runs near the western border of the project site, and an existing Southern/Union Pacific rail line runs through the project site. An existing Los Angeles Department of Water and Power electrical transmission line runs roughly in parallel to SR 14 about one mile further to the west. The project proposes to connect to the existing LADWP Barren Ridge substation located one mile to the southwest. The Honda Proving Ground, an automotive test track, is located roughly 3/4 mile east of the project site. In addition, a Southern CA Edison (SCE) distribution line crosses the property. The project proponent requests approval of a CUP to allow for the construction and operation and operation of solar electrical generating facility in the A (Exclusive Agriculture) and A-1 (Limited Agriculture) zone districts. Encroachment permits for access via public roads, and possible franchise agreements associated with connecting to the local utility grid along County rights-of-way may also be required to implement the proposed solar facility project. An Operations and Maintenance (O&M) building is also proposed as part of the project.

California City, Mojave

Kern

California Department of Conservation (DOC), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Energy Commission, California Highway Patrol, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Fresno Region 5 (RWQCB), California State Lands Commission (SLC), Department of Water Resources, Office of Historic Preservation, Resources Agency, California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Department of Transportation, District 6 (DOT), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4 (CDFW)

California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Department of Transportation, District 6 (DOT), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Central Region 4 (CDFW)

Power:Solar (Megawatts 250)

Use Permit

Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Cumulative Effects, Drainage/Absorption, Flood Plain/Flooding, Geology/Soils, Growth Inducement, Hazards & Hazardous Materials, Hydrology/Water Quality, Land Use/Planning, Mineral Resources, Noise, Population/Housing, Public Services, Recreation, Schools/Universities, Septic System, Transportation, Vegetation, Wetland/Riparian, Wildlife