EIR No. 532 / Conditional Use Permit No. 3684 / Public Use Permit 916 / Palo Verde Mesa Solar

EIR No. 532 / Conditional Use Permit No. 3684 / Public Use Permit 916 / Palo Verde Mesa Solar

The proposed project consists of the construction and operation of a 486 megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant (CUP03684) and transmission line (PUP00916) on approximately 3,400 acres. The proposed project would consist of a solar array field utilizing single-axis solar PV trackers and panels with a combined maximum height of eight and a half feet. Supporting facilities on-site would include two electrical substations, one operation and maintenance building, inverters, transformers, and associated switchgear. Since most of the site has nearly level to gently sloping topography, no mass grading would be required, and the natural drainage patterns of the site would not be significantly altered. The Project site would be secured 24 hours per day by on-site private security personnel or remote services with motion-detection cameras. An equestrian-wire, wildlife-friendly and drainage-compatible security fence that meets the National Electrical Safety Code would be placed around the perimeter of the site. The proposed lighting for the site would be consistent with County building code. A 14.7-mile-long 230 kilovolt transmission line would connect the proposed Project's northwestern substation with the approved Colorado River Substation, located west of the Project site. The solar array field would be located entirely within the County of Riverside's jurisdiction. The transmission line would be located on County of Riverside jurisdiction, with the exception of approximately 1.7 miles (20.6 acres) within the City of Blythe and approximately 4.0 miles (48 acres) within land managed by the BLM. A Development Agreement between the County of Riverside and the applicant would be established, setting forth the rights and responsibilities of each party with respect to project development and operation.

Blythe

Riverside

Air Resources Board, Airport/Energy Projects, California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Transportation, District 8 (DOT), California Energy Commission, California Highway Patrol, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Santa Ana Region 8 (RWQCB), California State Lands Commission (SLC), Caltrans, Division of Aeronautics, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Region 6, Department of Water Resources, Resources Agency, California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC)

California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC)

Power:Solar (Megawatts 486)

Use Permit

Aesthetics, Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Cumulative Effects, Drainage/Absorption, Economics/Jobs, Fiscal Impacts, Geology/Soils, Hazards & Hazardous Materials, Hydrology/Water Quality, Land Use/Planning, Noise, Population/Housing, Public Services, Septic System, Transportation, Vegetation, Other