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Neb. city grants site permit approval for 230-MW solar project

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Neb. city grants site permit approval for 230-MW solar project

The City Council of Lincoln, Neb., on Sept. 30 upheld an earlier approval for a solar project that would dramatically increase the amount of installed solar in the state, despite some local opposition related to the project's visibility.

The up to 230-MW Salt Creek Solar Project would sit just outside of Lincoln's city limits. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, Nebraska had about 45 MW of installed solar power statewide through the second quarter of 2019, ranking it 44th among the 50 states.

Excluding one council member who recused themselves, the city council's approval was unanimous. Earlier in the month, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission unanimously granted conditional approval for a special permit for the project, which could power 30,000 homes from its approximately 1,100-acre property.

The Salt Creek Solar Project is being developed by private developer Ranger Power. The project will need to include setbacks of 100 feet from the parcel boundary of a nonparticipating neighboring residential property and 50-foot setbacks for all other types of properties, according to Colin Snow, Ranger Power's Nebraska development manager.

Several local residents voiced opposition at a planning department special permit meeting or submitted dissenting letters, but only one Lincoln resident and the Stevens Creek Point Homeowners Association filed separate, formal appeals to the conditional approval.

Based on conversations with those concerned about the project, Snow said that most opposition was based on "viewshed issues," or aesthetic concerns over how visible the panels would be from their property.

"People [in Lincoln] are excited about renewables, they're excited about solar in particular," Snow said. "They're excited about having this project close enough to Lincoln that there are workforce development opportunities, education opportunities, or a project like this, which is the first of its kind in the state."

In addition to aesthetic issues, opponents speaking at a meeting following a Sept. 4 county planning staff presentation also cited concerns over their property values and local wildlife safety, according to a planning department summary report following the appeals.

The solar array will be "generally located" on a dozen contiguous leased properties in Lincoln's immediate northeastern suburbs. A Lincoln Electric System substation would be used to avoid new overhead transmission lines, although a city analysis of the project shows that a new substation would still need to be built.

The developer will be required to plant a vegetative border of certain types of trees and avoid siting photovoltaic panels within the 100-year floodplain without an additional permit.

While Ranger Power has been in talks with off-takers for several years, Snow said none have yet to be secured. He said that Ranger Power could have the project up and running at some point between 2021 and 2023, where "the price of power is going to be really competitive and really good."

After construction, the firm foresees up to six full-time employees will be needed to monitor the site.