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County reviews several solar sites after DEQ notices and a berm collapse; contractor issued remediation plan
Summary
Staff briefed the board on multiple large solar projects: Booker's Mill and Cerulean sites have DEQ‑recommended corrections and stabilization in progress; Self 1 experienced a berm collapse triggering a county stop‑work order and on‑site remediation by contractor Highpower.
Richmond County staff told the Board of Supervisors on May 8 that remediation and oversight remain active at several utility‑scale solar sites in the county.
The Booker's Mill site received a notice of violation from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for areas needing stabilization; staff said the developer has implemented stabilization, seeding and other measures and DEQ inspectors reported satisfaction with recent improvements. At the Cerulean site, weekly inspections and a DEQ review identified areas where erosion and sediment controls need improvements to maximize basin performance.
At the Self 1 project a berm collapse allowed a significant amount of sediment to leave the limits of disturbance. Staff issued a county stop‑work order for Self 1; the contractor (Highpower) mobilized crews to clean up and reconstruct disturbed areas and submitted a remediation plan. County staff noted that stop‑work orders are reviewed case‑by‑case and that work allowed to continue is limited to actions consistent with remediation and stabilization plans.
The board was also briefed on the DG Revolution project, which was awaiting final comments and an ENS approval from reviewers. Staff said some projects have overlapping construction and substation expansion work in the same area, which complicates traffic and erosion controls; Dominion Energy representatives have been in contact about reported property impacts while pile driving occurred on a separate transmission line project.
What the county will do next: staff said it will continue inspections, require remediation where necessary, and coordinate with DEQ and contractors. The board heard public comments urging continued oversight and rigorous enforcement of erosion and sediment plans.
