Kneehill County will actively participate in a proposed solar project’s application process, but to what extent it participates is still up in the air. T
he resolution to participate in the Lone Butte Solar Project application process was passed at the Oct. 22 regular meeting of council.
Councillors heard a report from Manager of Planning and Development Barb Hazelton regarding the large solar project proposed on property within Kneehill County.
“On May 30, 2023, council moved to consider on a case-by-case basis the level of participation they would like the municipality to take during the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) process regarding applications for renewable energy projects,” stated Hazelton in her report to council.
“This request for decision is to bring forward the Lone Pine Solar project for council direction.
“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.
The proposed power plant will have a total capacity of 450MWac (585MWdc).”
Hazelton pointed out council previously approved the county’s participation in the Three Hills Solar Project by voicing a number of concerns: “The high quality of agricultural land that is being removed from production for renewable energy projects, the concern with the reclamation of the site specific to the ability to recycle components and clarification of the responsible party if the company becomes insolvent, weeds, pest control and disease transfer and timing of the construction and the potential for erosion of the lands.”
Coun. Laura lee Machell-Cunningham stated that her impression from the last three years of council meetings is that Kneehill County wants a seat at the table when renewable projects are proposed, so if the county is offered a seat, Kneehill should take it.
Coun. Carrie Fobes agreed, adding fire suppression and training for renewable energy developments will be an issue for Kneehill County in the future and the AUC should be made aware of the onus they’re placing on communities.
Coun. Debbie Penner agreed with both of her peers. “We should be there,” said Penner, acknowledging participation would cost taxpayer money.
Coun. Faye McGhee asked when Kneehill County should rely on their staff expertise for these applications or when the county should hire experts or legal advisors.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Mike Haugen responded that decision is totally up to council.
Machell-Cunningham noted a different solar project recently went through a hearing and was turned down, one of the few that’s been denied she observed.
She added that Westlock County participated in a process and wondered what their cost to taxpayers was.
Haugen noted he didn’t know an exact number but stated it must be at least in the thousands of dollars.
Reeve Ken King surmised it appeared councillors want to participate in the Lone Butte application and wanted to know to what extent.
King observed, by reading the application, that Acciona Energy hired their own experts with the report subsequently suggesting farmland involved in the Lone Butte application be downgraded in farmland rating from level 2 to level 3.
Readers should note lower farmland rating is sometimes used in development applications to ease approval by suggesting the land is less valuable to or less useful for agriculture.
King stated he wondered how the AUC allows a company to change farmland ratings, “…just so it suits their purpose.” King observed lower farmland ratings could be used during the application to suggest the proposal wouldn’t remove valuable farmland from production despite municipalities often voicing that concern.
“I think they’re challenging that directly in their own reassessment of those land qualities,” said King.
Hazelton responded the application’s soil testing were available for councillors to read, but King responded that farmland ratings take into account more than just soil quality.
During discussion it was noted several times that the more involved Kneehill County gets in the Lone Butte application, the more expensive it will likely be for the taxpayer.
Councillors eventually passed a resolution Kneehill County will participate in the Lone Butte solar project application process and that councillors will decide at a November meeting to what extent.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
