Energy Facility Siting Council to Meet February 25, 2022
The next regularly scheduled meeting of Oregon’s Energy Facility Siting Council will be held virtually Friday, February 25, 2022. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude around 2:30 that afternoon.
The main items on the Council’s agenda are:
Obsidian Solar Center (Information Item & Possible Action Item) – The Obsidian Solar Center project is a proposed solar photovoltaic (PV) energy generation facility with a nominal generating capacity of 400 megawatts and optional 50 MW battery storage, located within a site boundary of approximately 3,921 acres (4.2 sq. miles). The project would be located in Lake County, approximately eight miles northwest of Christmas Valley.
Kellen Tardaewether, Senior Siting Analyst will provide an overview of the project, the process to date, and the Proposed Order.
Jesse Ratcliffe, Senior Assistant Attorney General, counsel to EFSC for the Obsidian Solar Center Contested Case will provide an overview of the issues in the contested case and the findings of facts, conclusions of law and conditions of approval in the Hearing Officer’s Proposed Contested Case Order. Mr. Ratcliffe will also go over any written requests by parties and limited parties to make non-substantive scrivener error changes to the Proposed Contested Case Order.
Jesse Ratcliffe, Senior Assistant Attorney General will conduct a material change hearing per ORS 469.370(7) where parties and limited parties may comment on any material changes to the Proposed Order.
Council will deliberate and may issue a Final Order.
Protected Areas, Scenic Resources and Recreation Standards Rulemaking Project Update (Information Item) – Christopher M. Clark, Siting Policy Analyst and EFSC Rules Coordinator, will provide an update on feedback provided during rulemaking workshops held on this project and staff’s preliminary analysis and recommendations for policy issues related to the Protected Areas, Scenic Resources and Recreation Standards. Staff is not requesting that the Council take formal action as part of this agenda item but will seek the Council’s direction on policy and procedural issues associated with the project.
Public Comments Web Portal Update (Information Item) – Wally Adams, Operations and Policy Analyst will present and show a demo of the new web portal for submitting and viewing public comments on projects under the Council’s jurisdiction.
There will also be an opportunity for public comment.
The full meeting agenda and other meeting materials are available on ODOE’s website.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oregon Department of Energy and Energy Facility Siting Council are practicing social distancing measures, so this meeting will be made available remotely using the online Webex platform only. Please see the meeting agenda for detailed instructions on how to participate.
To request an interpreter for the hearing impaired or accommodations for persons with disabilities, please contact the department at least 72 hours before the meeting at 1-800-221-8035 or fax 503-373-7806. TTY users should call the Oregon Relay Service at 711.