Board approves Coyote Creek agrivoltaic project after months of debate, clearing 1,200 acres for solar while preserving conservation easements

Sacramento County supervisors voted Nov. 18 to certify an environmental impact report and approve the Coyote Creek Agrivoltaic Ranch project, routing 200 megawatts of solar and 400 megawatt‑hours of battery storage onto the Barton Ranch under a use permit, special development permit and design review.

Planning staff presented the project as consistent with the county’s climate action goals and SMUD’s 2030 carbon plan, recommending certification despite three identified significant, unavoidable impacts: long‑term effects to scenic views, cumulative oak woodland canopy loss and impacts to tribal cultural resources. "To summarize, the project supports the county’s general plan and SMUD’s 2030 carbon plan by delivering local utility scale solar energy," Planning Principal Kimber Gutierrez told the board during the staff presentation.

The applicant, Desert Renewables/Desiree (represented by William Marisi and Jim Gillum), said the project would deliver a large, grid‑scale block of local renewable power, create construction jobs and produce tax revenue estimated at roughly $67 million over 20 years to local jurisdictions. "Coyote Creek is contracted…