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Board approves cost-reimbursement agreement to allow permitting review for proposed peaking plant
Summary
Planning staff and the board approved a cost‑reimbursement and consultant agreement to allow permit review for a proposed peaking plant (Billiken Renewable Energy); the developer must deposit funds and a public meeting will be required when the formal CUP application is filed.
The Columbia County planning staff and the Board of County Commissioners approved a cost-reimbursement agreement and an associated consultant contract to allow the county to begin permitting review of a proposed peaking plant project.
Planning staff said the agreement mirrors prior cost-reimbursement arrangements and uses a special assessment account: the developer will deposit money (the transcript references a $50,000 initial deposit to the special account) and the county will draw from that account to pay for SEPA/environmental review and consultant work until a minimum balance threshold triggers replenishment. The board approved the agreement and authorized the chair to sign.
The board also approved an exhibit contracting Shockey (Shockey Planning Group / consultant Cammie Anderson in transcript) to perform SEPA review and support the conditional-use-permit process. Planning staff said a public meeting will be required when the applicant files, giving residents an opportunity to ask questions and comment. Staff described the facility as a "peaking plant" that would produce electricity when variable sources (wind/solar) are not producing; the developer and staff discussed potential fuel sources including renewable natural gas or biodiesel and noted construction is not anticipated for several years (planning discussions referenced a 2029–2030 build horizon).
The motion to approve the cost-reimbursement agreement and the consultant exhibit carried by voice vote.
