Company behind proposed solar farm answers community questions at open house - Scottsbluff Star Herald

Energy company answers solar farm questions at open house

Representatives of the company behind a proposed solar farm in Scotts Bluff County addressed a number of key issues brought up by community members at an open house event held at Legacy of the Plains Museum on Wednesday.

The project is being planned by Situla Energy Project LLC, a holding company of California-based Dunlieh Energy, and is still awaiting the approval of a conditional use permit(CUP) by the county planning commission.

Scott Ickes, Dunlieh Energy vice president of business development, provided a presentation for roughly 50 attendees before fielding questions.

Senior project manager Ethan Jahnke of 2DOT Consulting and landowner Jack Preston — who leased out the property for the project — also provided some insight throughout the evening.

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Key issues identified

Most of Ickes’ presentation and many of the community questions revolved around what he identified as the nine key issues that have arisen in conversations with community stakeholders. These included emergency response/fire safety, national security, road use, environmental impacts, site security, workforce management and decommissioning.

Situla Energy Project CEO Thaer Flieh responded to several of these issues in a recent interview with the Star-Herald, and Ickes offered some new insights on Wednesday evening.

On the topic of fire safety, Ickes announced his plan to speak with fire chiefs in both Scottsbluff and Gering in the near future to address what resources, training and financial support both departments would need to feel comfortable responding to any potential emergency at a commercial grade solar facility.

“We’re going to work with them to make sure they have the equipment they need and the training they need to give them the psychological comfort they need to respond to any emergency that might pop up out there,” he said.

Echoing Flieh’s statement last week, Ickes reassured those with concerns related to national security that the U.S. Department of Defense is already involved. Numerous federal agencies will review the project as it moves forward.

“We’ve gotten positive feedback from the DOD so far in terms of the informal study they’ve conducted,” he said. “They’re in the process of doing the formal study now.”

In terms of road use and maintenance, Ickes credited the county boards in Scotts Bluff and Banner counties for their advocacy on that and several other issues that could directly impact residents.

He said a “circular format” will likely be used during the construction process to minimize traffic disruptions and damage to roads like Stegall, which will be a major artery for transportation. He also affirmed the company’s commitment to paying for repairs to leave those roads in as good or better shape upon completion of construction.

“If Dunlieh Energy can’t commit to fixing these roads, then we have no business doing a project here,” Ickes said. “We can’t expect to be good neighbors and project partners for 30 years and leave the roads in poor condition. That’s not acceptable.”

On the topic of decommissioning, Ickes shared his personal belief that the project will be profitable enough for all parties that the facility will be upgraded and recommissioned at the end of its 30-year lifespan rather than decommissioned.

“If it’s out there producing, has an established footprint and is creating value for the community as well as energy, why would you decommission it?” he said. “Why wouldn’t you upgrade it with the latest technology and let it run another 30 years?”

However, in the event that the facility is discontinued, he promised that the decommissioning bond required in the land lease will ensure the removal and recycling of all components, including panels, batteries, steel and even concrete.

“Our agreement with the Preston brothers is to successfully revegetate and rehabilitate the land after the end of decommissioning,” Ickes said.

Questions

Several area residents posed questions throughout the evening, some of which are briefly explored below.

What if the project ceases to be profitable?

Ickes reiterated Dunlieh’s faith in the profitability of the solar project, but admitted that any commercial project needs to show adequate success in order to be sustained. He said that if some operational challenge made the facility non-viable, it would not simply be left vacant to create an eyesore or safety hazard.

Who are the investors funding the project?

Minnesota-based Treehouse Development Finance LLC was identified as the financial backer behind the proposed project. According to the firm’s website, TDF and its affiliate, Treehouse Investments, have been investing in renewable energy projects around the world since 2013.

Where will the power go?

It was explained that transporting power over long distances is both inefficient and non-profitable, meaning that electricity generated by the Situla project will be fed into Western Area Power Administration’s grid and utilized throughout the Rocky Mountain region. Ickes noted that signing a contract with WAPA will come at a later stage, but it is in the works.

Where will the panels come from?

When asked if foreign made solar panels would be used at the facility, Ickes and Jahnke both expressed commitment to buying and utilizing American products. They also explained that green energy tax credits offered by the Inflation Reduction Act are not awarded if materials are not sourced from the United States.

What about weather damage?

Ickes assured residents that Dunlieh is aware of the weather patterns seen in western Nebraska, including the threat of hail and tornadoes. He said that damages from both are accounted for in the operational plans, as failing to account for them would keep the project from viability.

Contact Fletcher Halfaker: fletcher.halfaker@starherald.com, 308-632-9048.