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Home My WebLink About20241566.tiffINVENTORY OF ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION Applicant Cynthia J. Kennedy c/o Pivot Energy Case Number USR24-0006 Submitted or Prepared Prior to Hearing At Hearing 1 Jarred Sater and Tammy Miller X 2 Applicant letter concerning contacting Mr. Sater and Ms. Miller X 3 Presentation from the applicant X I hereby certify that the three items identified herein was submitted to the Department of Planning Services at or prior to the scheduled Planning Commissioners' hearing. Diana Aungst, Planner From: Sent: To: Subject: Jarred Sater <jarredfarm75@gmail.com> Sunday, February 25, 2024 10:59 AM Diana Aungst USR24-0006 Caution: This email originated from outside of Weld County Government. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Ms. Aungst, I am writing with comments concerning the Cynthia Kennedy, c/o Pivot Energy proposed solar energy facility, USR24- 0006. Concern 1 This is productive irrigated agricultural ground that should not be taken out of production. There is plenty of other ground that is not productive nor irrigated that can be used for solar energy production. It is an irresponsible decision for the solar companies to take one limited resource out of production to produce another limited resource when there is other available land that would have less impact on our limited resource of irrigated land. Concern 2 The proposed area for the solar facility is on the corner of an intersection that is already difficult to see the oncoming traffic due to the Xcel substation. At least at this point, you can look before approaching the substation when traveling west into the intersection to view potential oncoming hazards. If this solar facility is built, it makes it nearly impossible to see oncoming road hazards. This will make the intersection that much more dangerous for our family and employees on a daily basis. There is already a solar facility just down the road on CR 46 & 61. One facility in the neighborhood is plenty. Please do not grant permission for USR24-0006 to move forward. Sincerely, Tammy Miller & Jarred Sater 1 Diana Aungst From: Cait O'Mara <comara@pivotenergy.net> Sent: Friday, May 31, 2024 7:02 PM To: Diana Aungst Subject: Fwd: Pivot Energy - USR24-0006 Solar Attachments: Screenshot 2024-05-30 at 5.05.48 PM 2.pdf a EXHIBIT 2 Caution: This email originated from outside of Weld County Government. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Hi Diana, can you please add this to the public/project record for USR24-0006? I have tried reaching out multiple times, to no avail. Thank you. Forwarded message From: Cait O'Mara <comara@pivotenergy.net> Date: Thu, May 30, 2024 at 5:18 PM Subject: Re: Pivot Energy - USR24-0006 Solar To: <jarredfarm75@gmail.com> Jarred and Tammy, I wanted to try and reach out one more time in hopes of discussing your concerns that you emailed to Diana Aungst on February 25th on the proposed solar project USR24-0006. I mailed you a priority letter on May 30th (today), and it should be delivered to your home in the next day or two, but wanted to follow up on email as well just in case this is a better way to get in touch. 1. As for your first concern, Pivot Energy is proud to be at the tip of the spear when it comes to preserving agricultural land while also producing additional clean energy to be used by the local area. We've spent significant time and effort evaluating what we can do on the project on the Kennedy parcel and are excited to share that we will be proposing a vegetation management plan that integrates irrigation under the panels and production of food crop or feed for livestock, which will be codified after we execute a contract with a local tenant farmer. We are reaching out to the current farmer on the Kennedy property to gauge their interest and would also be open to recommendations you may have. If you have direct interest in supporting the project from a farming standpoint, we'd be open to working with you as well on this project or others. We understand the importance of preserving farmland in Weld County and hope you agree we are going above and beyond the typical expectation of these developments to ensure dual use of the land is maintained. 2. As for your second concern, the panels will be set back approximately 100 feet from the substation, and at least 75 feet from the road, creates a view corridor such that drivers heading Westbound on CR44 can look North prior to reaching the substation and get a sense of incoming traffic heading south on CR57. Notwithstanding this view corridor, there is of course a stop sign at that intersection which is the ultimate safety measure "governing" this intersection. When the vehicle is stopped at the stop sign, the solar will be behind the substation to the North and will in no way further encumber the view of CR57. I've attached a simple diagram and picture I took myself when I was out in that area last month to help further illustrate my point and help the visualization. 1 As I've mentioned earlier, we would love to discuss on a call or in person if you have further questions. Please feel free to email back as well. Thank you for your participation in this process and I look forward to hearing from you. On Mon, Apr 8, 2024 at 10:23 AM Cait O'Mara <comara@pivotenergy.net>wrote: Hello both, I will be in your area this Friday (4/12) and would be happy t0 meet with you two to discuss your concerns in person. Your concerns are being heard and acknowledged, and I would like to discuss them with you sooner rather than later. Please let me know if you would prefer a phone call and we can set something up shortly. Thank you, On Tue, Mar 26, 2024 at 9:55 AM Cait O'Mara <comara@pivotenergy.net>wrote: Hello Jarred and Tammy, I work at Pivot Energy and received a message from Diana Aungst listing two of your concerns regarding the proposed USR24-0006 solar farm. My manager and I would be happy to jump on a call with you two to discuss your concerns, or even meet in person if that is easier for you. We will be up in your area on April 12th and could stop by your property or meet for lunch. If this doesn't interest you, please let me know when you'd be available to set up a call. Thank you and I look forward to speaking with you, 2 CAIT O'MARA I Senior Associate, Project Development (she/her) comara@pivotenergy.net M 631.513.2148 I LinkedIn Pivot Energy I Clean Energy. Clear Choice CAIT O'MARA I Senior Associate, Project Development (she/her) comara@pivotenergy.net M 631.513.2148 I LinkedIn Pivot Energy I Clean Energy. Clear Choice CAIT O'MARA I Senior Associate, Project Development (she/her) comara@pivotenergy.net M 631.513.2148 I LinkedIn Pivot Energy I Clean Energy. Clear Choice CAIT O'MARA I Senior Associate, Project Development (she/her) comara@pivotenergy.net M 631.513.2148 I LinkedIn Pivot Energy I Clean Energy. Clear Choice STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY & DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this email message is confidential and intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copy of this email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by emailing legal@pivotenergy.netand delete the message. Thank you. 3 j,1 Pivot � Energy USR24-0006 PIVOT SOLAR 46 LLC PIVOT SOLAR 47 LLC WELD COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION JUNE 4, 2024 Clean Energy. Cleat Choice. PR J ` - SPECIPICS: PIVOT SOLAR 46 LLC P VOT SOLAR 47 LLC It, Pivot Energy SITE DETAILS: PIVOT SOLAR 46147 LLC • • • Co -located projects - 10MWac Land lease with Cynthia Kennedy Located on the corner of the intersection at CO 44 and CO 57 Ideal location for dual - use agrivoltaics — water from CCWCD $1.4M in property tax revenue over 40 years 3ROTNERSIIt% 11051 I500O)22 SETBACK FROM FENCE SHOWN AS 20'. SETBACK CAN VARY WTTH ENGINEERING' REFER TO CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS. PARCEL BOUNDARY SOLAR FACILITY BOUNDARY PUBLIC SERVICE CO COW PARCEL NO. 105314600004 graY ROAD 44 F H 4 BRED PAUL SATER :EL NO.105.3c^ROOO01O 4' S 9 I d 1 maw.* , EOLIPMEN7-PADS I SCtAR FACIL BCUNDARY PR 20` GATE / , /: • •PHA C'NHERCYNP4IA lima'` RAF".,Ftw Ic 4X' 016 ,' PARCEL B0UNDARY(TYP) WILMOTH FARMS 1-E LLC PARCEL NO 1053140D0001 SOLAR PANELS PARCt1.BOUNDARY SETBACK FROM FENCE SHOWN AS 20' SETBACK CAN VARY WITH ENGINEERNG. - REFER TO CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS.N • -.\\,:\:\ \\\\, �\ pig\• \ \ \ q '� \ ` . `•, \, cva�ntu,a,I�!N��i�x, �•� h \ P�l�CpL I0311Qp61b .\ \ \ \ .� \�\ \ .� N \• \\� `'.\ \ \ •'.. :\ \\ \ -._\ •\ h \ \, \' • \ \\ `• \ • {. 1 PARCEL BOUNDARY PR 20' GATE • '\• ,\ \ •--Y-tea%o -o _ `\ \, \ \♦ \\ \ I • \ `• \\4O, jjjT \ ,PR 20' ACCESS R0AD1 O_ ' ELECTRICAL ECAPPMENT PADS SOLAR FACILITY . BOUNDARY JARRED PAUL SA TER PARCEL NO 105323000005 tf CYNTHLA J KENNEDY PARCEL NO 1O531d300075 SOLAR FACILITY BOUNDARY ABANDONED OIL WELL APIt1 O5-123-12366 WEL uRrY ROAD14 0 I9 PAUL A SATER PARCEL NO. I053140000 0 SOLAR FACILITY BOUNDARY P1,;;;..R L ..CU i''_1ANI .. 0 0 LirrA rt. a_efr Pivot Energy NEIGHBOR OUTREACH Steps Taken: • All direct abutters to the project were sent a USPS priority mail envelope containing: A letter personally introducing the developer assigned to the project, Pivot Energy as a company, and Pivot's Solar Projects Contact information for the developer Solar Project frequently asked questions A postcard inviting them to the community meeting in Kersey on 12/07/23 Outcome • The community meeting had no attendees • No contact was received from any neighbors • One comment was sent to the County prior to the hearing Pivot reached out multiple times to discuss, with no response from the neighbor 0 Pivot Energy NA_ v�1 s fags a 'LA1.r-n M 4 t_ a l L4-s-i sad - Buffer report, direct neighbor outreach (500') AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION: PIVOT SOLAR 46/47 LLC • • • A portion of the parcel will be reserved for continued agricultural use Tenant farmer will have agency for best usage of the land, whether crops or grazing Within the solar array, surface drip irrigation will greatly increase water efficiency Landowner is choosing to pair solar and agriculture in order to diversify, stabilize, and increase the economic return Upon decommissioning, the land will be returned to original condition for continued agricultural production ��,`� Pivot Energy LANDOWNER TESTIMONY: CYNTHIA KENNEDY • Brief parcel history • Why we chose solar • Economic security "AI,Pivot Energy 6 CONCLUSION Investing in Weld County • Locally produced, low cost energy to stay in Weld County Over a half million pledged and donated to Bright Futures and other organizations Increased property tax revenue for the operational life of the system ($724k/$1.4M over 20/40 years) Support the County's goal for economic development, agricultural preservation, and energy diversification Minimal impact or disturbance to surrounding properties relative to other development 0 p tions Above and beyond outreach to neighbors Preserving agricultural lands — irrigation, innovative dual use practices Kyle Sundman ksu nd manpivotenerqy. net 719-233-4322 tis in pivotenergy. net Pivot Energy • • • • • S ubsurface drip irrigation is a low-pressure, high efficiency irrigation system that uses buried drip tubes or drip tape to meet crop water needs. S ubsurface irrigation saves water and improves yields by eliminating surface water evaporation and reducing the incidence of weeds and disease. 50-60% less water than flood irrigation, 30- 40% less than sprinkler Increase in yields reported Irrigate under solar panels as well as in buffer areas - hay or forage grass under panels In discussion with High Plains Irrigation (based in Ault, CO) and SEIP (CSU lead research on site near Kersey) 451Eari SUBSURFACE IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY PROJECT h:sfe kin Pivot Energy 10 Engaging in discussions for a partnership with a student at the Colorado School of Mines a How can we integrate food crops with PV installations? • 3 sites used to evaluate feasibility of growing food crops beneath solar arrays with little to no change in typical PV design P roposed measurements include: • Carbon sequestration of crops vs. typical seed mixes • Soil water retention to quantify irrigation needs with vs. without array P otential CSU Soils laboratory and Alan Knapp's laboratory partnership • Working to narrow down sites for use to study soils and different grazing approaches n Pivot Energy 11 3 • ForgeSolar is an industry -leading tool to evaluate glare impacts to the adjacent roads, homes, businesses • The project will generate a non- material amount of hazardous glare for those who can see or pass the array • Glare from solar panels will be comparable or less to that of snow, water, or steel • All panels are coated in an anti - reflective coating to decrease glare 7m•KUNiII! rm r rgeSo l a r Va• parevng On worm Site Configuration I Components & Results P546 and PS47 Most conservative -temp -2 -temp -3 COIYTAAGT I ACCOUNT LOG OUT PRICING TOOLS & SERVICES - PROJECTS HELP Home Projects PS46 and PS47 Site configurations Most conservative -temp -2 -temp -3 N L IU Open in editor Created Jun 03, 2024 Updated Jun 03. 2024 Time -step 1 minute Timezone offset UTC-6 Minimum sun altitude 0.0 deg Site ID 120809.18751 Glare Analysis Summary Project type Project status: active C Category 5 MW to 10 MW Advanced PV Array Resuiita More - Summary of PV Glare Analysis IN configuration and predicted glare PV Name PV array 1 Tilt Orientation deg deg SA tracking SA tracking "Green" Glare min 835 "Yellow" Glare min 49 Energy Produced kWh Data File O eis t1/47,fr Pivot Energy 12 Equipment that makes noise (inverters) are located hundreds of feet from the nearest residence, placed in the center of the array The decibel rating is equivalent to a residential air conditioning unit None of the equipment operates early in the morning or late at night The equipment is "off" when the sun is not out • The Cohn-Reznick property value study shows no impacts to property values adjacent to solar facilities in the Midwest or Colorado. Sites are similar to this one in New Mexico. While no two sites are identical, the similarities far outweigh the differences in this case. We have also reviewed published methodology for measuring impact on property values as well as published studies that specifically analyzed the impact of solar farms on nearby property values. We have also interviewed market participants, including County and Township Assessors, to give us additional insight as to how the market evaluates farm land and single family homes with views of the solar farm. These studies found little to no measurable and consistent difference in value between the Test Area Sales and the Control Area Sales attributed to the proximity to solar farms and are generally considered a compatible use. Considering all of this information, we can conclude that since the Adjoining Property Sales (Test Area Sales) for the existing solar farms analyzed were not adversely affected by their proximity to solar farms, that properties surrounding other solar farms c�tinq in compliance with all regulatory standards will similarly not be pidversely _ affected, in either the short , or long term periods. eati,Pivot Energy 14 6 PS46/47 21 Dacono clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes Map Unit Setting National map unit symbol: 361y Elevation: 4,550 to 4,970 feet Mean annual precipitation: 14 to 18 inches Mean annual air temperature: 48 to 52 degrees F Frost -free period: 140 to 160 days Farmland classification: Prime farmland if irrigated 41 Nunn clay loam, 0 to 1 percent slopes Map Unit Setting National map unit symbol: 2ting Elevation: 4,100 to 5,700 feet Mean annual precipitation: 14 to 15 inches Mean annual air temperature: 48 to 52 degrees F Frost -free period: 135 to 152 days Farmland classification: Prime farmland if irrigated el Pivot Energy 15 7 Solar panels are made of 99%+ inert materials (glass, aluminum, copper) No hazardous materials are used Pivot closely monitors and will replace damaged equipment to ensure projects operate at peak efficiency Once the project is decommissioned, panels will either be donated or recycled Image: solarbuildermag.com eti,Pivot Energy 16 8 Millions of people live near solar arrays or have solar panels on their rooftops. There is no credible evidence that solar equipment has negative impacts on human health isNCCLEAN ENERGY Gp�?• TECHNOLOGY CENTER NC STATE UNIVERSITY Health and Safety Impacts of Solar Photovoltaics The increasing presence of utility -scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems (sometimes referred to as solar farms) is a rather new development in North Caroline's landscape. Due to the new and unknown nature of this technology, it is natural for communities near such developments to be concerned about health and safety impacts. Unfortunately, the quick emergence of utility -scale solar has cultivated fertile grounds for myths and half-truths about the health impacts of this technology, which can lead to unnecessary fear and conflict. Photovoltaic (PV) technologies and solar inverters are not known to pose any significant health dangers to their neighbors. The most important dangers posed are increased highway traffic during the relative short construction period and dangers posed to trespassers of contact with high voltage equipment. This latter risk is mitigated by signage and the security measures that industry uses to deter trespassing. el Pivot Energy 17 9 Grain of truth • Solar panels contain heavy metals, just like all electronics. • Some technologies (not all) contain cadmium, a metal that can be hazardous in large quantities if not disposed of properly. The real story There is no liquid inside a solar panel. • Solar panels are designed to be outside in the elements. • Even if the tempered glass is broken, another layer protects the cells. • Asset owners are incentivized to clean up damaged equipment. • Owners are also required to perform preventative maintenance. • Studies show no evidence solar causes cancer or other diseases. (https://www.cancer.net/blog/2022-01 /can -having -solar -panels -or - living -near -solar -farm -increase -your -cancer -risk) "AI,Pivot Energy 18 ■ ■ ■ What, if any, health risks do the electric and magnetic fields (EMF) from solar panels and other components of solar PV arrays pose? Like all common electronics — from the wiring in a typical home to a vacuum cleaner — solar PV generates EMF Average exposure to EMF is typically ~1 mG. The lowest amount to have had any (controversial) association with health issues is ~3 mG over a long term Study of 3 commercial solar facilities in MA concluded low EMF strength at the fence line of <0.5 mG EMF strength of inverters at 150 ft is <0.5 mG. • Closest inverter to residence: --1000 ft Nation Gary Harlan Living Trust =`2,11 n Pivot Energy Most components of a solar module can recycled, including: • Aluminum Frames • Copper Wires • Junction Box, Containing Metals oe The remaining materials are called the "laminate" and they contain: • Tempered Glass • Sillicon Cells Connected with Precious Metals • Encapsulant • Backsheet Image Credit: Clean Energy Reviews AL Frame Tempered Glass Encapsulant-EVA Solar Ce Enca S asulant-EVA Backsheet Junction Box teN ciefr Pivot Energy 20 • • Solar facilities do not contain significant flammable materials, unlike oil & gas infrastructure Flammable materials in solar panels are limited and cannot self -sustain a fire Pivot monitors solar facilities and would be alerted of any abnormality ell Pivot Energy 1 3 Depending on the condition of the solar panels, Pivot Energy follows this decision tree to determine the best path after removal from site: 1. If no broken glass and panels pass field testing: Donation to organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Equitable Solar Solutions, etc. 2. If no broken glass but panels fail field testing: Refurbishment and re -sale on the secondary solar market via Ontility or EnergyBin 3. If broken glass: Recycling of the panels is coordinated by Pivot's O&M team using SolarRecycle.org to determine the nearest recycling facility Homeowner Rosalba Medina stands in front of her soon -to -be finished Habitat for Humanity home in September 2022. The home has a 5.8 -kilowatt solar array that was donated by Pivot Energy and installed by Equitable Solar Solutions and Nunatak Alternative Energy. n Pivot Energy 14 The project isn't large enough to alter wildlife migration patterns. There are ample routes for animals to move around and through the site as needed We use a game fence when allowed to maximize our ability to keep larger animals out and allow smaller animals to come and go n Pivot Energy 23 Hello