Kneehill County council approved entering the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) hearing for a massive proposed solar project with a legal representation budget of up to $75,000. The resolution was passed after a lengthy debate at the Nov. 12 regular meeting.
Councillors read a report from Barb Hazelton, manager of planning and development, regarding a large proposed solar energy development in the municipality.
“On Oct. 4, Acciona Energy Canada Global, Inc. submitted their application to the AUC for the Lone Butte Solar Project proposed on approximately 2,000 acres of privately owned and cultivated land in Kneehill County,” stated Hazelton’s memo.
“The proposed power plant will have a total capacity of 450MWac (585MWdc).”
Councillors previously discussed their concerns about the proposal, agreeing to participate in Lone Butte’s application process while deciding how they would participate.
Previous concerns councillors voiced included high quality farmland being removed from production for the project, importance of Kneehill’s rural way of life, reclamation issues, weeds and pests, erosion potential, waterway impacts, infrastructure locations, emergency response and alteration of farmland assessment ratings.
Hanging over the discussion was a detail provided by Hazelton at the meeting: the deadline for all written submissions for the Lone Butte project is Dec. 3.
Reeve Ken King began the discussion by noting he remained deeply concerned about Acciona’s reassessment of accepted farmland ratings; in the application Acciona has a consultant’s opinion that the land in question isn’t actually as highly rated as recorded.
King stated he feels the county should directly challenge that reassessment in the hearing.
Coun. Jerry Wittstock related he recently spoke directly to Minister of Affordability and Utilities Nathan Neudorf about Acciona’s reassessment of the farmland; Wittstock pointed out the land in question is dry and has an existing production rating.
Neudorf responded that Kneehill County should send his office their written concerns about this, “…because he said they cannot change the ratings the way they think they can change the ratings.”
King added in his opinion the reassessment is an attempt to increase the palatability of the project from the AUC point of view, essentially saying the accepted assessment of 32 per cent Class 2 farmland is wrong and there’s only three per cent Class 2 farmland.
King, noting he’s worked as a consultant in that area, observed land to the west and south has “high” productivity and losing it would have an impact.
Later in the meeting councillors unanimously passed a resolution to send an official letter to Neudorf voicing concern about a private business interest attempting to alter farmland assessment ratings.
As councillors discussed how to proceed within the AUC process, it was noted costs would be involved.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Mike Haugen stated if legal representation is hired, the county’s expenses could range between $50,000 and $80,000. Haugen also pointed out if Lone Butte is approved and developed its property tax bill could be above $5 million per year.
The idea of hiring an environmental engineer to examine the site over issues like runoff and contamination was briefly discussed, but with the Dec. 3 deadline looming the idea was abandoned.
The CAO observed that Kneehill County’s concerns would probably best be served by the company working with the municipality to address issues such as weeds and traffic. He also pointed out that during the hearing Kneehill’s legal representation would make the point that neither Acciona nor the AUC has the authority to alter farmland assessment ratings.
Councillors unanimously approved a resolution for county staff to hire legal representation for the municipality to participate in the Lone Butte project’s AUC application with a budget up to $75,000.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
