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Cowlitz County staff open to letter-of-support for PUD study on solar anchoring at Tenant Way landfill, no commitments made
Summary
Public works staff said the PUD is applying for a grant to study shallow anchoring systems for solar installations on landfill slopes; the county indicated it would consider a letter of support but emphasized the study would not commit the county to installation.
Public works staff told Cowlitz County commissioners Wednesday that the Public Utility District is applying for a grant to study how to support solar infrastructure on steep, shallow-covered landfill slopes at the Tenant Way landfill and asked the county for a letter of support. Staff described the request as exploratory and said no commitment to install solar or sign agreements would occur as a result of a support letter.
A staff presenter explained the site constraints: “It ranged between 1 to 2 feet of dirt before we get into the synthetic liners,” and that the PUD is seeking engineering approaches that can anchor infrastructure into shallow subsoils without penetrating the landfill’s cover system. The staff member said the application is for a study only and “no commitment to the county to say, yes. We're doing this, but just sharing access and information at this point.”
Board members asked whether a letter of support would bind the county; staff responded they had discussed terms with PUD staff to ensure the county would not be committed by a study and that any future project would come back for board approval. One board member urged caution based on past experiences where preliminary agreements felt binding; staff said they would double- and triple-check that the study and any letter would not name or obligate the county to future work.
Why it matters: landfill solar could repurpose county-owned space for renewable energy but faces technical and regulatory constraints on closed or active landfills. A county letter of support can increase grant competitiveness, staff said, but county leaders emphasized the difference between supporting a study and approving a project.
Next steps: Staff will follow up with the PUD to confirm that the study does not name or obligate Cowlitz County and, if appropriate, prepare a letter of support for board consideration. No formal vote or commitment to host solar infrastructure was made during the meeting.
