The Sandoval County Planning and Zoning Commission has postponed the PCR Solar Farm meeting originally scheduled for 11/12/2024. See the revised P&Z meeting notice: https://www.sandovalcountynm.gov/. The next P&Z meeting date is 12/10/2024 but we are uncertain if the PCR Solar Farm will be on the agenda.
Important: Immediately following the PCR solar presentation held on 10/20/24, State Rep Matthew McQueen said to several attendees remaining in the room that he wanted to make it clear that the State of New Mexico is not involved in the solar farm’s approval process and that if Sandoval County approves the proposed zoning change, the solar farm project will move forward.
Key Takeaways from the PCR Presentation on 10/29/2024:
PCR Solar Presentation:
- PCR, an Argentinian Power Company, presented their proposal for the Diamond Tail Ranch Solar Farm. There were over 100 people in attendance. Only 4 people raised their hands when asked how many in the room were in favor of the 1,800 acre solar farm.
- PCR’s schedule shows construction between 2026-2028 on a 5.5 square mile site.
- Their PowerPoint presentation was impossible to read and the presenter could not be clearly heard.
- PCR has a preliminary connection agreement with PNM, but does not have a formal contract to sell energy to PNM.
- The N14/Golden site was chosen due to technical reasons: it is centered between Santa Fe and Albuquerque; has a large population demand; near the newly built PNM substation connection.
- PCRs fire strategy is to “let the fire burn itself out”.
- Fire Topics: PCR claimed Sandoval County Fire Chief Masterson has reviewed plans and said he has no fire related concerns; training would be provided to fire fighters; site plan includes a cleared buffer that should prevent spread of fire; elaborate grounding system to arrest lightening strikes.
- Site access will be granted from N14 through a private property.
- PCR will benefit from a Federal 30% tax credit.
- A financial bond will be in place to cover decommissioning and site restoration after 30-years.
Audience Concerns:
- Environmental impact of solar panels and lithium batteries, pollution of aquifers and wells, toxic chemicals.
- Potential fires in huge lithium battery storage units.
- The site is without a nearby fire department due to its remote location.
- PFAs (called forever chemicals because they don’t break down in the natural environment) cause cancer and contaminate aquifers.
- High ambient noise pollution emitting from the site, wildlife disturbances due to noise.
- Visual impacts to landscape and the Hwy 14 scenic route.
- Will the site be accessed via Puertocito Rd, N14, other roads? The recent PNM substation construction project damaged Puertocito Road and caused major community disruptions.
- Solar panel reflection, glare, and dark sky contamination emitting from onsite night-time lighting.
- Temperature rise in area.
- Impact to wild life and/or endangered species.
Real-Life Solar Farm Fires – Examples
- Solar farm lithium-ion battery fire took four days to extinguish
https://www.ctif.org/news/solar-farm-lithium-ion-battery-fire-took-four-days-extinguish - How Solar Farm Fires Can Damage the Environment: https://www.firetrace.com/fire-protection-blog/how-solar-farm-fires-can-damage-the-environment
- New York solar Farm Fire: July 2023
https://youtu.be/_C2JgXrYn6k?si=XssXEeon2cNCe-vu - 30 fire companies responded with no idea what to do.
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2024/09/16/chaumont-solar-fire-cleanup-battery - April 2019 accident near Phoenix put plans on hold to further deploy battery energy-storage systems across Arizona
https://spectrum.ieee.org/dispute-erupts-over-what-sparked-an-explosive-liion-energy-storage-accident - Solar Farm Noise
https://www.soundfighter.com/solar-farm-noise-reduction/
