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The Alameda County Board of Supervisors is set to review the second proposed utility scale solar project planned for North Livermore during its regular planning meeting Thursday.
The Livermore Community Solar Energy Facility, proposed by Oakland-based SunWalker Energy, was approved by the East County Board of Zoning Adjustment (EBZA) in December. Resident groups Save North Livermore Valley, Friends of Open Space and Vineyards and Friends of Livermore each filed appeals opposing the EBZA’s decision.
Residents John and Jackie Bowles also filed an appeal of their own, arguing that the project is inconsistent with provisions of the Williamson Act Uniform Rules adopted by the Board of Supervisors.
The other groups who oppose the planned 59-acre, six-megawatt solar electric facility at 4871 N. Livermore Ave say that construction of the project would destroy the natural environment and violates Measure D, which was passed by voters in 2000 and aims to preserve agricultural land and open space in eastern Alameda County.
“We need to expand renewable energy to address climate change, but in a thoughtful manner. That means we don’t build utility scale solar facilities on productive, environmentally important agricultural land. We should never destroy the environment in order to save it,” Save North Livermore Valley said in a statement.
The appellants are imploring county officials to develop a comprehensive solar policy for agricultural districts before moving ahead with large scale solar projects.
Save North Livermore Valley, Friends of Livermore and Friends of Open Space and Vineyards voiced these same concerns about the larger Aramis solar project site located roughly two miles north of the Livermore city limits, which the Board of Supervisors approved on March 4.
County planning staff recommends that the supervisors deny all four appeals, certify the Environmental Impact Report and approve the project, according to the agenda report.
The meeting is set for Thursday at 9 a.m. via Zoom. More information and access links to join the meeting are available here.
