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Board certifies SEIR, approves Las Commas solar overlay, zoning and CUP with benefits agreement
Summary
Merced County certified a subsequent EIR and approved a general plan amendment, overlay zone, zone change (sunset 12/31/2060), conditional use permit, and a solar benefits agreement for the Las Commas 200 MW photovoltaic project; staff noted remaining significant unavoidable impacts but recommended findings and a statement of overriding considerations.
The Merced County Board of Supervisors on March 11 certified the final subsequent environmental impact report and approved multiple related actions for the Las Commas solar project, a proposed 200-megawatt photovoltaic facility on a site of approximately 1,700 acres with a 1,460-acre solar footprint.
Deputy Director of Planning Tiffany Ho summarized the proposal and the environmental review, saying the project includes a community-benefits package and a 35-year operating term followed by decommissioning and site reclamation. Ho told the board staff recommends certifying the SEIR, adopting CEQA findings of fact and a statement of overriding considerations, adopting the general-plan amendment to establish a solar overlay, approving the zone change (to sunset on 12/31/2060), and approving the conditional use permit and a solar benefits agreement.
Matthew Kaufman, representing applicant EDP Renewables, said the company had worked with county staff and local stakeholders "for years" and committed to local hiring and community engagement. The benefits agreement includes an annual payment of $33,000 for 20 years to help cover public-safety costs, local hiring efforts coordinated with workforce agencies and unions, and use of local points of sale for tax collection.
Board members discussed environmental effects the SEIR identified as significant and unavoidable for aesthetics, air quality, noise, and utilities; staff explained mitigation measures and the rationale for a statement of overriding considerations given expected community economic and renewable-energy benefits. Supervisor Silvera moved to certify the final SEIR and adopt the CEQA findings and mitigation monitoring program; subsequent motions approved the general plan amendment, zone change with sunset, the conditional use permit, and the solar benefits agreement. The motions carried with board members voting Aye.
Staff noted the project would connect to the PG&E Los Banos substation and would include screening and access plans; construction was estimated at one to two years with a single-phase build, and the facility would be capable of powering up to 20,000 single-family homes. The board approved the project with the record establishing required findings and mitigation obligations. The county will implement monitoring and reporting as required by the approved SEIR and mitigation program.
