The proposed Ore Town Solar Project would be located north of Veterans Memorial Blvd. on BHP property between the roadway and the tailings. It is unknown if the solar panels would be visible from the roadway or San Manuel. Photo by T.C. Brown
The Ore Town Solar Farm being proposed near San Manuel will receive a public hearing for a zoning change with the Citizens Advisory Committee at Pinal County this week. The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 5, and is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Pinal County Courthouse in Florence. The hearing is set to be held in the Ironwood Room. You can review the full zoning application online: bit.ly/478PSfu
Those wishing to comment either in favor or against may attend the meeting and make their comments. Those wishing to stay apprised of the development and the county process and submit their comments in writing may also do so by mailing their comments to: Pinal County Development Services, Monicka Smriti, PO Box 749, Florence, Arizona 85132. Written comments must also contain the following information: planning case number, name, address, telephone number and your property tax parcel number. A brief statement pro or against the request and whether or not you want to appear to be heard at the meeting.
The solar company, named 310SM 8me LLC or Avantus, which is listed as a foreign agent (incorporated in Delaware) by the Arizona Corporation Commission, held a community-based public hearing in April. This hearing allowed the residents of the area to meet company officials and get to know more about the project. The hearing scheduled with Pinal County will be focused on the land use change amendment.
The Ore Town Solar Project is set to be constructed on private land owned by BHP at the former home of BHP San Manuel mining ore processing operations. Before construction can begin the company requires a major zoning amendment change, which must be approved by the Pinal County planning and zoning and eventually the Pinal County Board of Supervisors. Currently the land is zoned low density residential. They are requesting the zoning to be Green Energy production.
The proposed project would be an up to a 145-megawatt solar energy generating station and battery energy storage system. The project is planned on a 1,200-acre site owned by BHP and includes lands within the now-closed San Manuel Copper Mine formerly used for ore processing. This would not include the tailings areas due to subsidence concerns. The solar panel arrays would be 8-10’ at their highest point.
Key project facilities include several parts in an overall plan. Solar panel arrays, inverter stations, electrical collection lines, and a step-up station all share a part of this plan with dedicated battery storage systems. The battery systems would be housed in protected containers to store electricity from the solar panels for use when the sun is down. An approximately 0.35-mile long transmission line would connect the project to the regional grid via the existing San Manuel Substation. The substation is owned and operated by APS.
During the April public hearing the company did announce that a major zoning change would be required. Should the zoning change be approved, the operation will create about 200 construction jobs and should be fully operational by 2026. Once in operation, there would be four to five full time employees working at the site. Construction could begin in 2026 with an online goal of May 2028 if all is approved.
Residents in the area have begun expressing their concerns about the impacts to wildlife, potential fires and questioning if the solar panels or battery storage were to combust would the fire department have the skills necessary to protect the community from fire.
“Wildlife issues alone should reject the application. Both our desert turtles and Gila monsters are protected under state laws,” said Michael and Susan Clary in an email to the San Manuel Miner. “As full time residents of San Manuel, we are GREATLY concerned for our community.”
SWCA and Environmental Consulting firm in Flagstaff has been working with the company to educate the public and government processes on any environmental concerns. SWCA Environmental Consultants have been in business since 1981. They state that they have “helped public and private clients overcome environmental challenges and move their projects forward. Our 100% employee-owned firm offers comprehensive environmental planning, regulatory compliance, and natural and cultural resources management services. We work together to understand the full life cycle of any project, from inception to completion.” They do offer opportunities for public comments concerning Ore Town Solar. Their project team can be reached via mail at Ore Town Solar Project, c/o SWCA Environmental Consultants, 1645 S Plaza Way, Flagstaff AZ 86001. Their email address is oretownsolar@swca.com. More information about SWCA and their solar projects can be found at https://www.swca.com/our-work/power-generation/solar.
Avantus states they have “over a decade of experience developing safe, high quality and sustainable projects in partnership with utilities, landowners, communities and other key stake holders. They claim that their legacy is next generation solar energy includes developing one of the nation’s largest solar clusters and one of the first solar plants to deliver energy at a cost less than fossil fuel prices in 2016.” More information about Avantus can be found at https://avantus.com/about-us.
The proposed Ore Town Solar Project area is approximately 1,200 acres of privately owned land by BHP. Photo by T.C. Brown