Public invited to comment on proposed battery energy storage system project as company seeks permit through California Energy Commission

November 15, 2024

SOLANO COUNTY – A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, known as the Corby Battery Energy Storage System Project, is pursuing a permit through the California Energy Commission's (CEC) Assembly Bill (AB) 205 Opt-In process.  The project, proposed by Corby Energy Storage, LLC, aims to construct and operate a 300-megawatt (MW) lithium-ion battery energy storage facility in unincorporated Solano County, and would be located on 40 acres of prime farmland near the existing Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Vaca-Dixon Substation.  The project's primary purpose is to store excess energy during periods of low demand and release it during peak demand periods, contributing to grid stability and reliability. 

PUBLIC COMMENT AND ENGAGEMENT
As part of the CEC's AB 205 Opt-In process, the project will undergo an environmental review and public engagement process.  It should be noted that Corby is pursuing an alternative permitting pathway through the CEC for the proposed BESS project, choosing to direct all permitting decisions through the CEC as opposed to the local permitting process.  Therefore, Solano County residents and interested parties are encouraged to participate in this process and stay engaged by submitting comments to the CEC and attending public meetings.    

Corby’s application was submitted on November 4, 2024, which started a 30-day clock for the CEC to determine whether the project application is complete.  The CEC is accepting public comments on the application at this time, which can be submitted through the link below.  To ensure comments are received, it is advised to submit them to the CEC by or before December 4, 2024.  

n  To submit comments on the Corby BESS Project, click HERE.
n  To stay informed about the Corby BESS Project and receive notifications about upcoming public meetings, click HERE and subscribe for project updates via email.
n  To view the docket log for the Corby BESS Project, where correspondence and project documents may be downloaded, click HERE. 

CONTACTING THE CEC / SOLANO COUNTY
For questions about the project or the CEC process, contact Renee Longman, Project Manager, at [email protected] and (916) 937-3538.  Include project name in email subject line.  For public participation inquiries, contact the Public Advisor at [email protected] and (916) 269-9595.   

You may also contact Allan Calder, Planning Program Manager with the Solano County Department of Resource Management to provide input and / or questions about the process at [email protected] and (707) 784-3159. 

STAY INFORMED
Solano County encourages residents to stay informed and participate in the decision-making process for this significant energy infrastructure project. The County will continue to monitor and comment on the CEC’s process and ensure that local interests are represented throughout the permitting process to the maximum extent feasible.  

Additional projects may be announced by the CEC as they come forward.  Stay informed on new projects seeking a permit through this process by visiting the AB 205 homepage and signing up for the program updates by clicking HERE. 

To be added to the Solano County BESS update list please email: [email protected]