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Two large solar power installations have been announced recently, one in Oregon and another in Wisconsin. In addition, MISO — the Midcontinent Independent System Operator — has approved 24 long-range, high-voltage transmission lines that will help move renewable energy from where it is generated to where it is needed in 10 states.
Sunstone Solar In Oregon
The state of Oregon has approved the Sunstone Solar project, which will be the largest solar power plant in the US when it is completed. Construction is expected to begin in 2026. The facility will have nearly 4 million solar panels installed on 10,000 acres in Morrow County, which is located in central Oregon east of Portland. It is expected to generate 1.2 gigawatts of electricity and will connect to the energy grid through the Bonneville Power Administration via the Umatilla Electric Cooperative system.
Such a large solar project will necessarily affect the local communities in Morrow County where wheat farming is a primary occupation. According to Ben Catt, CEO of Pine Gate Renewables, Oregon’s energy facility permitting process is among the most rigorous in the nation. The state has strict rules about where solar panels can be installed to protect the best farmland. However, projects like Sunstone Solar can obtain special permission if they demonstrate clear benefits to the area. Having this in mind, Catt pointed out that the recent unanimous permit approval reflects the collaborative efforts between the project team and stakeholders to create a solution that benefits both Oregon and the Morrow County community. The developer will invest over $1,000 per acre to support local agriculture through an $11 million fund designed to benefiting the region’s wheat farmers while enhancing the long-term sustainability of Morrow County’s wheat farms.
In a statement, Senator Ron Wyden emphasized the fight against the climate crisis relies on diverse energy solutions, citing Pine Gate Renewables’ solar power and energy storage project as a clear example of the important federal investments secured through the Inflation Reduction Act. “This is just another example of the important federal investments I fought for in the Inflation Reduction Act, and I will continue to advocate for tech-neutral solutions in our tax code that promote innovation and efficiency in Oregon and across the nation,” the Oregon senator said.
Ken Grieb, a local wheat farmer and landowner involved in the project, is hopeful about its potential to bring economic benefits to Morrow County. Pine Gate’s collaborative approach to energy development shows a commitment to the community, he notes. “Pine Gate has demonstrated how large energy facility development can be done thoughtfully and collaboratively,” he said.
Vista Sands Approved In Wisconsin
Sunstone will have some competition for the title of largest solar power plant in the US soon. This week, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) announced the approval of Doral’s Vista Sands Solar project located in Portage County, Wisconsin, west of Green Bay. The proposed solar project will have a capacity of approximately 1.3 gigawatts. During the open hearing, commissioners praised Vista Sands and described it as one of the most beneficial and impactful projects in Wisconsin, saying it has the potential to deliver extraordinary value for the state.
The PSC further praised Vista Sands for its “thorough and robust community engagement process” and described Vista Sands’ communication and outreach as “proactive and transparent that created awareness, helped educate and built relationships and trust.” The commissioners deemed that Vista Sands has gone above and beyond to incorporate community and stakeholder feedback and noted its significant economic and environmental impact.
Jon Baker, project manager for the Vista Sands Solar, said, “We are thrilled with the approval of the Vista Sands Solar Project by the PSCW. This milestone marks an exciting new chapter for clean energy in Wisconsin, bringing us closer to a future where reliable, affordable, and sustainable power is available to all. With years of careful planning and deep community engagement, Vista Sands’ approval represents a transformative opportunity for local economies in Portage County and a major step forward for Wisconsin in achieving its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. We look forward to continued engagement as the project advances towards its final design.”
Vista Sands Solar will bring a total capital investment of nearly $2 billion and create approximately 500 jobs during construction and about 50 permanent jobs, stimulating local economic activity that will benefit local businesses. The project also brings support to local communities through utility aid payments that are estimated to exceed $6 million annually to Portage County and the municipalities hosting the project.
In addition to the economic benefits, a report released earlier this year found that in its first year of operation, the project would avoid over 1.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide released into the air, more than 3,200 metric tons of soil acidification, and a significant decrease in other air, land, and water pollutants. The reductions in global and local pollutants are projected to produce approximately $630 million in additional economic gains in the first year alone in the form of reductions in healthcare costs and ecosystem preservation services.
Vista Sands is focused on the needs and concerns of the local residents who will be affected by the project. On its website, it says, “For generations, our local farmer partners have cultivated their land and harnessed the power of the sun to produce potatoes and vegetables. Respecting that heritage, a group of local farmers has agreed to lease their land to Doral, the project leader, for 30 years. For the next generation, we’ll use the land to harvest the power of the sun to produce clean electricity – all while helping stimulate and grow the local economy.” At the end of the lease, the solar panels are removed, and the land is still owned by the local families so the next generation can decide the best future use of their land.
MISO Plans 24 New Transmission Lines
All that lovely clean electricity is wonderful news, but there aren’t a lot of industries in central Oregon or central Wisconsin that can use it. There needs to be a way to move electrons from where they are generated to where they are needed, and for that, high-voltage (HVDC) transmission lines are required. MISO, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, this week approved the largest transmission line increase in its history. Tranche 2.1 is a plan to develop a 3,631-mile-long 765 kV backbone that ensures future reliability while providing benefits that exceed costs. It includes a $21.8 billion investment for 24 projects and 323 facilities across the MISO Midwest subregion. Projects are targeted to go into service from 2032 to 2034.
In its decision approving the new transmission lines, MISO said the Tranche 2.1 portfolio is a significant step toward enabling future generations as envisioned by MISO’s members, utilities, and states. It is primarily a reliability-based portfolio that also provides a broad range of value. The portfolio was developed through a proven process that included substantial stakeholder engagement, including more than 300 meetings and feedback on the process and solutions. MISO said it is confident its comprehensive regional planning process has appropriately managed the uncertainty inherent in developing solutions that address a resource mix and issues 20 years into the future and in estimating the value of those solutions to MISO members.
After extensive analysis, MISO determined a 765 kV backbone is the right choice. 765 kV lines can carry more electricity, minimize land use, and reduce energy losses while maintaining high reliability. With more renewable generation in the future, which is typically located long distances from where energy is needed among greater populations, the technology is ideal to facilitate large power transfers across the footprint. With growth of new data centers, US manufacturing, and electrification, 765 kV lines can also accommodate the increasing electricity demand expected. Investing in higher-capacity lines now avoids the cost of upgrading or building additional lines in the future.
The Takeaway
This is all very exciting news for clean energy proponents — more solar power and more ways to get it to where it is needed. But beyond the gigawatts, number of solar panels, and miles of high-voltage transmission lines is the subject of how all this got approved in an era when opposition to clean energy financed by fossil fuel companies is strong. The secret to getting all this done is intense, dedicated community engagement. MISO says its policy is the result of 300 meetings. Some may say they disapprove of the transmission line expansion, but no one can say their concerns were not given a full hearing.
At the most basic level, that amount of community engagement is critical to moving the clean energy revolution forward. Everyone involved in Sunstone, Vista Sands, and the MISO permitting process deserves a round of applause for showing how moving the clean energy revolution forward should be done.
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