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SiteLogic presents microgrid feasibility; PacifiCorp constraints push county to a phased, behind‑the‑meter approach
Summary
Consultants told Del Norte supervisors a full community microgrid faces Pacific Power transmission constraints and a multiyear, multihundred-million-dollar remedy; the board was presented a lower‑cost phase‑one plan (~$2.1M) focused on rooftop and carport solar at county facilities and agreed to pursue committee review and funding pathways.
SiteLogic returned to the Del Norte County Board of Supervisors with a preliminary feasibility study that narrows a proposed community microgrid to a phased, behind‑the‑meter approach after engineers found utility transmission constraints.
"PacPower determined they did not have capacity, resources, personnel, or infrastructure… to support a community microgrid as we initially envisioned," Christy Coughlin of SiteLogic told the board. She said PacifiCorp is planning a $250 million Coos‑Curry line project that could provide long‑term redundancy but that the utility forecasts a 7–10 year timeline for completion.
Given that, SiteLogic proposed two near‑term county‑facility projects: carport solar at the sheriff’s office and an 81 kW rooftop array at the Flynn Administrative Center, with an estimated combined cost of about $2.1 million. "Combined those two facilities… the cost of those facilities would be about $2,100,000," the presenters said, noting available federal tax incentives and grant programs could cover a substantial portion if installed within program deadlines.
Board members pressed on battery sizing and operational questions. Chair Joey Borgia asked whether proposals included 22‑day battery backups; SiteLogic replied no — batteries would be a later phase because storage remains costly and grant‑dependent. Greg Burns of Thorn Run Partners, who also briefed the board earlier on federal funding opportunities, said earmarks and programs like BRIC and federal tax credits are potential paths to reduce county costs.
Supervisors agreed to keep the conversation moving through a technical/advisory committee (TAC) or a 2x2 and to pursue funding pathways that prioritize critical county facilities (jail, Flynn Center and hospital needs). Several supervisors said protecting essential services in an isolated county is an urgent priority, even if a full utility solution will take years.
Next steps: Staff and SiteLogic will refine site options, pursue applicable grant and tax‑credit opportunities for Phase 1 solar work, and return with recommendations for committee review and possible procurement steps.
