The California Energy Commission (CEC) has released its staff assessment, which includes a draft environmental impact report (EIR), for the Darden Clean Energy Project (DCEP), a 2,300 megawatt (MW) solar and battery storage project proposed to be built on retired agricultural land in western Fresno County.
It is the first project to reach this stage under the CEC's Opt-In Certification Program, marking a significant step forward in efforts to accelerate deployment of clean energy projects to help California transition to 100 percent clean electricity by 2045. A total of eight clean energy projects are pursuing Opt-in Certification - two have had applications deemed complete while six others remain in the process of filing complete applications.
The staff assessment for DCEP, which was posted Feb. 18 and includes a draft EIR, kicks off a 60-day public comment period, during which community members, local, state, tribal and federal agencies, and all active participants are encouraged to provide feedback. A public meeting is being planned for March or April near the project site, where CEC staff will present the staff assessment and collect additional input on it.
According to the staff assessment, under the proposed conditions of certification and recommended mitigation measures, all potentially significant impacts would be mitigated to levels that are less than significant. Staff has preliminarily recommended approving the project, however, a final recommendation on the project, considering public comment and final findings, will be made when the updated staff assessment is published.
Project Overview
Proposed on 9,500 acres of retired agricultural land in western Fresno County, the DCEP is designed to boost California's renewable energy capacity and grid reliability. The project includes:
- 1,150 megawatts (MW) of solar power
- Up to 1,150 MW of battery energy storage (four-hour duration)
- A 34.5-500 kilovolt (kV) grid step-up substation
- A 15-mile 500 kV generation intertie line
- A 500 kV utility switching station
Projects seeking approval through the Opt-in process are required to provide community and economic benefits. The DCEP includes:
- $2 million in community investments over the next decade starting with a $320,000 commitment to Centro La Familia Advocacy Services, a nonprofit supporting crime victim, family wellness, and civic engagement in rural communities.
- More than 2,000 prevailing-wage construction jobs to support the local workforce throughout the construction period (1.5 to 3 years).
- An estimated $169 million in economic benefits to the local area over the project's lifetime, estimated at 35 years.
Prioritizing Safety
The project is required to meet strict safety and environmental standards, and the staff assessment provides a comprehensive analysis of potential risks.
- Compliance with the California Fire Code and National Fire Protection Association standards (NFPA 855) to ensure top-tier safety measures.
- Ongoing collaboration with the Fresno County Fire Protection District to ensure local first responders are fully equipped to handle potential incidents.
- A dedicated command and control center outside the battery energy storage system facility for safe incident management.
- Real-time environmental monitoring of air and water quality in the event of an emergency.
- Deflagration panels to safely vent gases and minimize fire hazards.
- Thermal infrared cameras for real-time monitoring and early detection of potential fire events.
These standards align with California efforts focused on proactively addressing safety for battery energy storage systems (BESS) through comprehensive state-level collaborations and regulatory updates. CEC is part of a cross-agency collaborative recently convened by Governor Gavin Newsom to find opportunities to improve safety as the technology continues to evolve. Key initiatives include an update to the California Fire Code happening this year, expected to include enhanced BESS safety standards. The California Public Utilities Commission is also expected to vote on new safety protocols for the maintenance and operation of BESS facilities in March. These and other ongoing efforts are based on the latest studies and consultation with experts to ensure that California remains at the forefront of safe and reliable battery storage technology deployment.
The document can be found on the docket located on the DCEP webpage on CEC's website. A decision by the CEC on whether to approve the project is expected later in the year after completion of the environmental review process.
About the Opt-In Certification Program
In 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 205, which created an alternative permitting option for certain clean energy projects through the Opt-In Certification process. Except for specific circumstances, the environmental review must be completed within 270 days after the application is deemed complete.
The law mandates consultation with California Native American tribes and requires public comment opportunities throughout the process. Should the CEC approve the project, the issuance of a certificate replaces the need for any local, regional, and most state agency permits, certificates, or similar documents ordinarily required.
The Opt-In process is part of the Governor's Build More, Faster agenda, which is focused on delivering critical infrastructure upgrades throughout California.
About the California Energy Commission
The California Energy Commission is leading the state to a 100 percent clean energy future for all. It has seven core responsibilities: developing renewable energy, transforming transportation, increasing energy efficiency, investing in energy innovation, advancing state energy policy, certifying power plants and preparing for energy emergencies.
For more information
1516 Ninth St
Sacramento California
United States 95814-5512
www.energy.ca.gov
