The county board gave a strong signal of support for the solar
farm proposal in Panoche Valley by approving the crucial
environmental impact report and the cancellation of Williamson Act
contracts with the affected properties.
The county board gave a strong signal of support for the solar farm proposal in Panoche Valley by approving the crucial environmental impact report and the cancellation of Williamson Act contracts with the affected properties.
San Benito County board members Tuesday unanimously approved the EIR, which includes Solargen Energy’s plans to mitigate environmental impacts, while they approved the cancellation of 12 Williamson Act contracts in a 4-1 vote, with Supervisor Pat Loe dissenting. On a third matter, a water supply assessment, supervisors approved it unanimously.
With much of the opposition focused on the environmental impacts, the EIR decision may have stood as Solargen’s biggest roadblock. While supervisors still have other items to consider regarding the $1.2 billion proposal, the passing of the EIR was a major step forward for Solargen and could signal an outright approval is on its way.
Supervisors made those decisions after a public hearing that started at 10 a.m. and didn’t get finished until the early evening hours. Officials heard from an array of speakers in support and against the proposal.
Many local business groups expressed their endorsements of the proposal while citing the prospective job creation involved.
The opposition largely spoke about the impact to the environment and landscapes in the area.
Look back for more on this story.
