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Booker’s Mill solar site reaches substantial completion; supervisors and staff discuss neighboring Westmoreland proposal
Summary
County planning staff reported that the Booker’s Mill solar project reached substantial completion in December and that inspection reports from multiple firms are being used to monitor construction; supervisors raised concerns about a separate Westmoreland County solar proposal that would abut Richmond County at Muddy Creek.
Richmond County planning staff told the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 9 that construction oversight of large solar sites in the county continues and that the Booker’s Mill project reached substantial completion in December.
Why it matters: The county’s planning office, contractors and third-party inspectors have been closely monitoring erosion- and sediment-control measures and other site work for multiple utility-scale solar projects. Substantial completion for Booker’s Mill indicates the major construction phase is largely finished and final stabilization work (for example, grassing and erosion control) remains.
Jacob Roberts, planning staff with Richmond County’s office, and consultants from ARM Group are conducting and compiling detailed inspection reports; Roberts was described as working closely with ARM Group and gaining field experience in erosion- and sediment-control (E&S) oversight. The board packet included inspection notes from ARM Group; planning staff said Dominion and Strata also conducted independent inspections and the county receives those reports as well.
The board also reviewed notice of a Westmoreland County special-exception application for a proposed 55-megawatt utility-scale solar facility with battery storage on Kings Highway between Tallentown Road and Woodbine Road. That proposed facility would abut Richmond County near Muddy Creek.
Several supervisors expressed concern about differences between Richmond County’s siting standards and conditions and what they observed in the Westmoreland plans. One supervisor asked whether Richmond County would have an opportunity to comment on or request modifications to the Westmoreland proposal’s plan to protect shared watersheds and streams. County staff said localities are notified when a neighboring project abuts their boundary and that Richmond County can request plan copies and offer suggestions; staff also said they would follow up with Westmoreland staff (contact listed in the packet as Beth McDowell) to review the plan conditions.
The county noted it had benefited from multiple inspectors on large projects and that ARM Group and county staff will continue site visits. Booker’s Mill’s final siting-agreement funds were delivered in December, staff said, and remaining work is focused on stabilization and completion of punchlist items.
What’s next: County staff said they will review Westmoreland’s submitted plans, share Richmond County’s siting and E&S conditions as appropriate, and continue monitoring local solar sites through ARM Group and the county’s inspection program.
