The Salt Flats Solar project would see renewables developer Pace Canada erect solar panel arrays on 167 acres of land with a capacity of producing 27 megawatts of power, dozens of Brooks residents are opposing the project. SUBMITTED MAP
@MedicineHatNews
One hundred Brooks residents have registered to oppose the construction of a solar power plant on the west side of that city, though regulators have already dismissed one-third of applications for full standing as they don’t live close enough to the proposed site.
The Salt Flats Solar project would see renewables developer Pace Canada erect solar panel arrays on 167 acres of land with a capacity of producing 27 megawatts of power for the Alberta grid.
The Alberta Utilities Commission announced in Late December that it will hold a hearing on April 14 to hear arguments for and against the 27-megawatt array that would be built on land between the Uplands residential neighbouring and the County of Newell boundary.
This fall, the AUC received exactly 100 statements of intent to participate in regulatory hearings after many individuals submitted a form letter expression opposition and doubts about available land in the city for housing.
Of those, 37 were initially found to have addresses located within 800-metres – the standard distance to determine direct affect – while 33 did not.
The AUC is seeking further information from a further 30 applicants who did not include addresses.
They faced a Dec. 23 deadline to prove they would be directly affected by the project, and could still participate, but may not be eligible to receive reimbursement for eligible costs from the proponent.
A number of participants are represented by Edmonton-based law firm Akroyd, LLP.
Brooks city council has said that there is no immediate plan to service to the parcel for home-building due to costs and existing land supply.
Council has also expressed satisfaction with the Pace plan to add a double row of trees and berm to shield the property from sight, as well as add a recreational trail.
The land is currently used for grazing and has limited potential as is for crop production due to alkaline soil composition, according to Pace. The Company proposes to use rotating vegetation mix to gradually improve the soil while the installation is in place, and potentially engage in dual ag and energy production in a process known as “agrivoltiacs.”
