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AES introduces proposed 200‑megawatt solar project near Snake River; developers say zoning text amendment is next step
Summary
Representatives from AES introduced themselves to Wallowa County commissioners and said they plan a roughly 200‑megawatt solar project near the Snake River that will require a zoning text amendment; they told commissioners they will meet planning staff and planning commissioners as the permitting process proceeds.
AES representatives visited the Wallowa County commissioners during the Feb. 18 public-comment period to introduce themselves and describe an early-stage proposal for a utility-scale solar project in the vicinity between the county seat and the Snake River.
Lede: Carter Livingston, a regional AES representative, and Laurie Hutchinson, lead developer for AES in the Pacific Northwest, told the board they are proposing a roughly 200‑megawatt solar project and are starting the community engagement and permitting process.
Nut graf: AES emphasized it operates and maintains projects for their life, that the company aims to fit projects to local context, and that Wallowa County currently lacks explicit zoning language permitting utility-scale solar generation — the company said it has submitted or will submit a zoning text amendment and will be engaging the planning commission and county staff as the permitting process proceeds.
Details from the presentation and discussion - Project scope and location: AES representatives described the project as approximately 200 megawatts sited “between here and the Snake River” near a hamlet referenced on maps as Hatch. The developers said they began an interconnection inquiry a couple of years ago and are working with a utility partner (Pacificorp) on transmission access.
- Zoning and schedule: AES said Wallowa County does not currently have zoning that allows utility-scale solar and that AES has initiated a zoning text amendment to permit the development; staff and developers discussed that the planning commission would review the amendment. AES staff indicated they submitted the text amendment in April 2024 and expected the matter to travel through planning review in early 2025 with planning commission hearings around March (dates not firm).
- Community approach: Livingston said AES is an independent power producer that owns and operates projects in the United States and internationally; Hutchinson said AES attempts to adapt projects to local needs and offered to meet county staff and planning commissioners. Commissioners and staff suggested AES stay in direct contact with the county as the process unfolds.
Quotes and attributions (from public comment): - “We own and operate our projects for the life of them, so the communities matter,” Carter Livingston said during his introduction. - Laurie Hutchinson described AES’s Pacific Northwest experience and encouraged the county to call AES with questions as the zoning amendment and permitting process proceeds.
What the company asked of the county - AES asked the county and planning staff to expect further contact and to consider the zoning text amendment as it proceeds through planning commission review; AES offered to meet with planning commissioners and county staff for technical questions and community briefings.
Clarifying details and next steps - AES reported it submitted an interconnection request and a zoning text amendment in April 2024 (applicant statement). The company and county staff indicated the planning-commission schedule was not yet locked; AES said it would monitor planning-commission hearing dates and be available for a staff or public workshop if requested.
Ending: AES representatives left contact information for county staff and said they would return for hearings and follow-up meetings as the permit and zoning review move forward.
