Huge Kern County solar project gets airing

The massive proposed Beacon Solar Energy Project in Kern County, which would generate 250 Megawatts of power from the sun, will see its details aired in a day-long public workshop, set for Thursday

The California Energy Commission says it will use the workshop to focus on data responses already received from the plant applicant and work toward resolving issues such as potential impacts related to proposed evaporation ponds, the proposed rerouting of Pine Tree Creek, mitigation plans and compensation ratios for special status species and associated habitat.

Also to be worked out are the issues of water usage, potential impacts to groundwater, and evaluation of locations within the site, and transmission line boundaries that may be eligible for listing on the California Register of Historic Resources.

The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 6, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the California City council chambers.

The commission’s staff will consider the responses and comments it receives, in preparing a preliminary staff assessment containing an initial analysis of issues and recommendations for mitigation and conditions of certification.

Beacon Solar LLC, a subsidiary of Florida Power and Light Energy is proposing the concentrated solar electric generating facility on 2,000 plus acres in eastern Kern County. It would use parabolic trough solar thermal technology to produce electrical power from a steam turbine generator, fed from a solar steam generator.

If licensed by the commission, construction on the solar thermal facility will begin in the third quarter of 2009, with commercial operations targeted for the third quarter of 2011.