In an ongoing dispute over the proposed 1,833-acre Diamond Tail Solar and Storage Project in the East Mountains, several advocacy groups and concerned parties have filed an appeal in the 13th Judicial District Court of Sandoval County. The appeal, filed on April 3, challenges the decision by the Sandoval County Board of Commissioners in February to approve a zoning change allowing the construction of the industrial power plant facility.
The East Mountains Protection Action Coalition (EMPAC), the Turquoise Trail Regional Alliance (TTRA), Puertocito-Golden Ranchers, and others are opposing the 220-megawatt solar power plant and 110-MW battery energy storage facility proposed by PCR Investments, an Argentina-based private equity company. The project, known as Diamond Tail Solar, was approved by the county commission in a 3-2 vote on February 18, changing the zoning from a rural residential agricultural district to a special use district.
“Solar energy is probably the most safe energy source right now and battery storage has made a lot of progress through the last few years,” said Mariano Brandi, a PCR official. The company also highlighted the project’s economic benefits, including an estimated $450 million investment in Sandoval County, 300 construction jobs, and 15 to 20 permanent jobs.
The proposed facility would be located along the Turquoise Trail, NM-14, a National Scenic Byway. It would be located in a small pocket of Sandoval County in the East Mountains. The battery energy storage facility is planned to include 1.14 million lithium-ion batteries. Opponents have raised concerns about the safety of these batteries, citing an incident on January 16, at Moss Landing, Calif., where a lithium-ion BESS caught fire and released a toxic plume.
Even after the approval from the Sandoval County Commission, the Diamond Tail solar project faces several hurdles, including securing a power purchase agreement with an electric utility and approval from the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.
If constructed, Diamond Tail Solar would be one of the largest solar power plants in New Mexico.
According to a press release, EMPAC and the other appellants emphasize their support for renewable energy, particularly solar power, but argue that the Diamond Tail Solar project is poorly planned and inappropriately located.
“We think the battery storage facility as designed and planned is too risky. It’s unsafe, and the proposed location is totally inappropriate,” said Bill Parsons, a physicist who spoke against the project in February.
EMPAC is a 501(c)3, all-volunteer grassroots organization focused on protecting the East Mountains’ people, environment, and culture from irresponsible development. More information can be found at theEMPAC.org.