The Navajo County Planning and Zoning Commission held a public meeting on July 21, during which they approved a recommendation for a special use permit for the Aurora Solar, LLC’s Obed Meadow Solar Project that will allow for the construction and operation of a 200-megawatt solar power generation facility with the potential for an optional 200-megawatt battery energy storage system and associated facilities on approximately 2,005 acres located south of Joseph City, west of Cholla Power Plant.
Navajo County Planner Cody Cooper presented the project along with a recommendation for the approval. He noted that the Arizona Fish and Game Department provided recommendations and they were addressed by the applicant and Navajo County’s Emergency Management and Preparedness confirmed the project is in a low-risk area. Navajo County Emergency Manager Catrina Jenkins did add in a letter that she would like to be kept informed of the company’s emergency plans as they move forward with the project.
Project Developer Tyler Hoffbuhr with AvanGrid Renewables, of which Aurora Solar LLC is a subsidiary, noted that the company has been doing business in Navajo County for the past 10 years with projects within Navajo County include Dry Lake Wind Farms 1 and 2, southeast of Joseph City.
Steve Brophy, CEO of Aztec Land and Cattle Company, spoke in favor of the solar project, which will be built on the company’s land. “We’re the landowner and we appreciate the work staff has put into this and we appreciate your consideration of the project.”
Several Joseph City residents addressed the commission and regarding the project. Bryan Fields asked, “I know it has a lot of potential to it and we are glad to see the industry. The questions that I have revolve around the future of the powerplant and the transmission capacity to the grid. From what I’ve been told and understand, there’s a limited amount of that. Could this project have a negative impact in the future?” Fields had concerns that the project may impact potential industry wanting to come to the community with the closure of Cholla Power Plant.
Hoffbuhr responded to the question by stating that there is no transmission capacity and no potential for upgrades, the project would not work. “With the future retirement of the Cholla substation and the Cholla Powerplant, that is why this project was sited in this location.” Hoffbuhr explained that APS (Arizona Public Service) is looking for replacements for the generation coming from Cholla but noted that the operation was a much smaller scale than the power produced by Cholla.
Robert Martineau of Joseph City also had a question of where extra solar energy would be stored, mentioning that in the cooler months there is too much solar energy on the market. “Having more solar to me seems like you’re building something that you’re going to have to find something to do with the power. I would like to see something on how they plan on selling it.”
Hoffbuhr explained the purpose of the battery storage is to store that unused energy, which is a requirement of APS. “That is why we have the optional battery storage as part of the project,” he stated. “It’s ultimately up to APS how much battery, if they want any at all, and we will design and build for what they request.”
Linda Kor of Joseph City had questions as well. “I do have some questions regarding economic development impact and if there will be any. I’m curious about the construction phase, how long that would last and how many job opportunities would be provided. If there’s a lot, how that traffic is going to be mitigated through the community. And the long-term situation; if there’s any impact on our community for employment.”
Hoffbuhr explained in their permit it requires a construction management plan and a site access planning to minimize impacts to the local traffic. Kristen Goland, the Director of Development Environmental Permitting at AvanGrid Renewables, answered the rest of Kor’s questions, stating that for construction there will be around 350 to 400 workers and the construction would take anywhere from 12 to 18 months. As for permanent employees to run the facility, it’s a minimal team. “This is a 200-megawatt facility so we would have about three to four permanent workers.”
Cat Hansen of Joseph City asked where the construction workers would live due to lack of capacity in Joseph City, to which Goland replied that she could not answer with much specificity due to being so early into the project. “Typically, when we have our projects, we get as many local (workers) as we can. And when we say local that’s usually within a 100-mile radius, that’s the definition of local when we are tallying on construction work.” She also explained a lot of workers bring RVs and stay in hotels or find other accommodations if they do not already live nearby.
Much of the discussion focused on whether or not Aztec Land & Cattle should be required to join the Joseph City Fire District as the owners of the property. Planning and Zoning Commissioner Randy Murph began by stating that he believed it should be required, noting his concern for battery related fires. He also expressed the belief that to do so would show a good faith gesture to the residents of Joseph City, who could be impacted by an incident at the solar facility.
Brophy stated that he has no intention of joining the fire district as the liability is on the company leasing the land, not lessor. Regarding the company Hoffbuhr stated, “All of our staff is trained in fire prevention (and) the entire project will have a fire monitoring alarm system. We invite local emergency responders to come out to the site, co-train with our teams to understand the site.”
Brophy added that if there is any issue with a fire, the only thing that can be done is to let it burn out. He referenced a BNSF boxcar that caught fire on his land to which Snowflake Fire Department could do nothing but watch until it was finished.
Joseph City Fire Chief Rusty DeSpain countered, stating “We aren’t talking about a boxcar fire here. We are talking about a land of solar panels, and we are talking about a building full of batteries.” DeSpain explained that even if his team did co-train with those at the solar project, it would still take time and resources from the Joseph City Fire Department. He noted that there are costs associated with the additional training needed to battle lithium battery fires of that nature. He also noted that three to four employees with a 10,000-gallon water tank would not be able to manage a fire of that potential magnitude with their existing resources, adding that depending on the type of fire, water would not be effective.
DeSpain commented that the Fire District is contracted with Arizona Public Service to assist their fire brigade in the event of a fire and it was postulated by commission members that perhaps the solar company would consider a similar arrangement.
Cooper informed the commission that prior to any permits being issued that there will be a full fire plan in place, which is stipulated in the contract. “Ultimately, because this is not part of the fire district, it’s likely going to fall to the State Fire Marshall and we’re hoping that deferring to their judgement as the highest fire authority in the state of Arizona is going to be the best course of action in protecting the safety of the public in this area.”
Hoffbuhr stated, “I would love to chat with Mr. DeSpain regarding training needs and what would be required by the fire district to help get them the training they need and see if there’s some way we can help. We’re not here to burden the community or put that on to the taxpayers necessarily. We want to partner and be a part of the community.”
After a lengthy discussion regarding the matter, with commission members debating as to whether they can stipulate that a private landowner join the fire district, Commissioner Murph made a motion to approve the special use permit requesting that the land owner join the fire district. Commissioners Wayne Brewer, Jack Latham, Sadie Lister, Logan Rogers and Chuck Howe voted against it and the motion died.
Rogers then made a new motion to recommend approve the Board of Supervisors approved the special use permit to without the additional stipulation, to which Rogers, Brewer, Latham, Lister and Chuck Howe voted in favor. Murph voted against. The motion passed. Vice Chair Smith only votes in the event of a tie.
The matter is scheduled to go before the Board of Supervisors on the Tuesday, Aug. 23, meeting.
The Commission also approved a request for a special use permit extension to continue operation of a glamping recreational camp owned by Tiny Town, LLC, along the Navajo and Apache counties border. They also recommended approval with the Board of Supervisors.
