Over the last year and a half, the estimated cost of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for SunPower’s proposed solar project in California Valley has gone from $674,800 to $939,705.
On Sept. 14, San Luis Obispo County supervisors approved the second amendment this year to the SunPower contract, adding another $145,405 to the estimated bill. SunPower is required to reimburse the county for all costs.
According to a county staff report, the environmental review needs more information on changes to the original project description, new alternative designs, further review of biological surveys, and additional analysis on PG&E transmission lines.
SLO County planning commissioners will begin public hearings on the project after the EIR is completed.
This article appears in Sep 16-23, 2010.