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Sunstone Solar Project (FKA Echo Solar Project)

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The Sunstone Solar Project (formerly Echo Solar Project) is a proposed 1,200-megawatt solar photovoltaic power generation facility. In addition to the proposed solar photovoltaic arrays, the facility would include:

- Up to 7,200 MW hours of battery storage capacity
- An interconnection substation
- Up to six collector substations
- Up to four operations and maintenance buildings
- Up to 9.5 miles of 230-kilovolt (kV) overhead transmission lines
- Other structures including roads, perimeter fencing and gates.

If approved, the facility would occupy approximately 9,442 acres (14.75 sq. miles) of private land zoned for Exclusive Farm Use within an approximately 10,960-acre (17-sq. mile) site in Morrow County, Oregon.

Proposed/Under Review. The applicant filed a complete Application for Site Certificate (ASC) on May 15, 2024. Under OAR 345-015-0190(5), an ASC is complete when the Department finds that an applicant has submitted information adequate for Council to make findings or impose conditions on all applicable Council standards. On June 5, 2024, the Department held a public information meeting with the applicant to provide information about the ASC and the Energy Facility Siting Council siting process.

On July 12, 2024 the Department issued the Draft Proposed Order (DPO) on the ASC. On the same date, the Department issued a Public Notice of Public Comment Period and Public Hearing on the DPO. These documents are available in the Project Timeline below.

Public Comment Period: A 42-day comment period is open from July 12, 2024 through the close of the Public Hearing on August 22, 2024. The public may comment on the ASC, DPO, and DPO Attachments including the proposed site certificate conditions in the draft site certificate.
 
In Person & Remote Public Hearing Information:
Date: Thursday, August 22, 2024
Start Time: 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time
Location: Maxwell Event Center
145 N First Place Hermiston, OR 97838

You may also participate in the public hearing via Webinar or Teleconference Information:
Webinar Link:
https://odoe.webex.com/odoe/j.php?MTID=m2ad8bd61fc874b61d6f3ccd0d0da5f65
Webinar Event Number: 2333 011 8388
Webinar Event Password: EFSC (3372 from phones and video systems)
Teleconference #: 408-418-9388
Teleconference Access Code: 2333 011 8388

In order to be included on the record of the public hearing written comments must be received by the close of the Public Hearing on August 22, 2024 (unless otherwise extended by Council), submitted at the hearing, through the public comment portal described below or by mail, email, or fax to the presiding officer/hearing officer, in care of:

Christopher Clark, Senior Siting Analyst
Oregon Department of Energy
550 Capital Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: (503) 871-7254
Fax: 503-373-7806
Email: Christopher.clark@energy.oregon.gov

To submit comments via the online comment portal, choose the Sunstone Solar Project from the drop-down menu.  Click “Next" and follow the instructions on the screen. You will receive an email confirmation after submitting your comment.

​Morrow County, approximately 15 miles northeast of Lexington, Oregon.​ PDF Map | Online Map

Applicant/Certificate holder: Sunstone Solar, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pine Gate Renewables, LLC
ODOE contact: Christopher Clark
Applicant/Certificate holder contact: Logan Stephens

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Project Timeline

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Milestone
  
Additional Documents
Display Date
  
Notice of Intent
05/10/2022
09/27/2022
Complete Application for Site Certificate

​Exhibit A
Exhibit B
Exhibit C
Exhibit D
Exhibit E
Exhibit F
Exh​ibit G
Exhibit H
Exhibit I
Exhibit J
Exhibit K
Exhibit L
Exhibit M
Exhibit N
Exhibit O
Exhibit P
Exhibit Q
Exhibit R
Exhibit S
Exhibit T
Exhibit U
Exhibit V
Exhibit W
Exhibit X
Exhibit Y
Exhibit Z
Exhibit AA
Exhibit BB
Exhibit CC
Exhibit DD​​​​

05/16/2024
07/12/2024
07/12/2024
Close of Public Comment Period and In-Person Hearing on DPO
08/22/2024

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Exhibit Files Reference

  • Exhibit A: Applicant Information 
  • Exhibit B: Project Description
  • Exhibit C: Property Location and Maps
  • Exhibit D: Organizational Information
  • Exhibit E​: Permits Required
  • Exhibit F: Property Ownership 
  • Exhibit G: Materials Analysis
  • Exhibit H: Geology and Soil Stability 
  • Exhibit I: Soils
  • Exhibit J: Wetlands
  • Exhibit K: Land Use
  • Exhibit L: Protected Areas
  • Exhibit M: Financial Analysis
  • Exhibit N​: Non-generating Facility Information
  • Exhibit O: Water Requirements
  • Exhibit P: Fish Wildlife Habitat 
  • Exhibit Q: Threatened and Endangered Plants and Animals
  • Exhibit R: Scenic Aesthetic Values 
  • Exhibit S: Cultural Resources
  • Exhibit T: Recreational Facilities 
  • Exhibit U: Public Services
  • Exhibit V​: Waste Minimization 
  • Exhibit W: Site Restoration
  • Exhibit X: Noise 
  • Exhibit Y: Carbon Dioxide Emissions 
  • Exhibit Z: Cooling Towers  
  • Exhibit AA: EMFs – Electric and Magnetic Fields
  • Exhibit BB: Other Information
  • Exhibit CC: Additional Statutes Rules Ordinances
  • Exhibit DD​: Other Specific Standards