Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Solar Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Developers outline 100 MW 'Blues Creek' solar project in East Feliciana Parish; jurors table permitting discussion
Summary
Representatives of Desire (Desri) told the Police Jury about a proposed 100 MW photovoltaic project called Blues Creek, described key timelines and interconnection plans, and requested clarity on permitting while jurors raised concerns about tax treatment and local impacts; the jury tabled further action pending ordinance refinement.
Developers for a utility-scale project called Blues Creek told the East Feliciana Parish Police Jury on Tuesday that they are pursuing a roughly 100-megawatt photovoltaic facility in the parish and requested guidance on permitting and local ordinances.
Tucker Deli, introducing himself as a developer with Desire (also shown as Desri in meeting materials), said the project is currently in the large-generator interconnection process and is ‘‘coming towards the final stage’’ with the grid operator. He said the project as contemplated would include about 1,000 acres of array area, expect construction to start in the second or third quarter of 2027, and anticipate commercial operation by late 2028. "As we approach the end of that process, Desire is looking to get some sort of clarity on the permitting process here for the project," Deli said.
Developers said they would likely interconnect via a 138-kilovolt tap south of the site and that the project would translate to about two to three permanent jobs once operating. They said they hold leases with two separate landowners for the site and that the company typically contracts for energy on a per-megawatt-hour basis; they added they do not control who ultimately purchases the power once it is placed on the grid.
Jurors and attendees asked questions about acreage, jobs, tax treatment and whether the parish would pursue industrial tax-exemption programs; developers said they are not pursuing ITAP on behalf of the parish. One juror said the parish has one of the lowest tax bases in the state and urged caution so the parish would not forgo potential revenue; other jurors pressed for clear local permitting standards before construction. The developers offered to supply technical materials, generation estimates and panel counts upon request.
After discussion the jury moved to table final action on permitting and to complete revisions to a draft solar ordinance; officials said the matter will return to the next meeting. No zoning or permitting approvals were taken at Tuesday's meeting.
