Twin Cities Solar Project
As part of our commitment to provide safe, reliable and carbon free electricity, we’re proposing the Twin Cities Solar and Battery Energy Storage System Project, which would connect to our electric grid and provide clean, renewable energy for the region.
The Twin Cities Solar Project adds to our diverse clean energy portfolio, improves local air quality and delivers a reliable long-term supply of solar and battery storage to boost a resilient electric grid.
Project description
The Twin Cities Solar Project consists of the construction and operation of a photovoltaic (PV) solar power and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) renewable energy generation facility that would be interconnected to our transmission grid. The project would provide new power production capacity of up to 275 megawatts (MW) and allow storage of 275 MW at the BESS facility. A generation substation, interconnection lines to the Rancho Seco Switchyard and equipment modifications to the existing Rancho Seco Switchyard would also be constructed to allow for the interconnection.
Location
The project is located in unincorporated southeastern Sacramento County, east of the community of Herald, California. The project site is approximately 1,697 acres located adjacent to the north and west boundaries of the Rancho Seco Recreational Park. The northern area is approximately 982 acres and the western area is approximately 715 acres. These areas are adjacent but not connected properties and would be joined by a collector line. The northern project area is bordered by Twin Cities Road to the south. The western project area is bordered by Clay East Road to the south, Twin Cities Road to the northwest and the Rancho Seco Recreational Park to the east.
Timeline
Construction could begin as early as 2028 and the project plans to be operational by 2030.
Environmental considerations
We prepared a Notice of Preparation (NOP) to inform agencies and interested parties that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be prepared for the project. The NOP includes information about the project and any potential environmental impacts to allow agencies and interested parties the opportunity to provide a meaningful response related to the scope and content of the EIR, including mitigation measures and alternatives for consideration. The NOP is available to review below or in person during normal business hours at these locations:
SMUD
Customer Service Center
6301 S Street
Sacramento, CA 95817
SMUD
East Campus - Operations Center
4401 Bradshaw Road
Sacramento, CA 95827
Public review/comment period
The public comment period for the Notice of Preparation has been extended through Oct. 16, 2026. Written comments may be emailed to TwinCitiesSolar@smud.org or mailed to:
Jerry Park
SMUD Environmental Services
6201 S Street
Sacramento, CA 95817
Public meeting
A public meeting was held on June 11, 2026, in Herald to share information about the proposed project and gather community input on the scope of the Environmental Impact Report.
An additional public meeting will be held before the public comment period closes on Oct. 16, 2026. Meeting details will be posted here when available.
Draft EIR public review and public comment: 45 days, anticipated in early 2027
Draft EIR public meeting: Early 2027
Response to comments and final EIR: Mid-2027
Board decision: Mid-2027
Documents
Frequently asked questions
This FAQ will be updated regularly to inform the community of project developments.
What is the proposed Twin Cities Solar and Battery Energy Storage System Project?
The Twin Cities Solar and Battery Energy Storage System Project would add up to 275 megawatts of solar generation and 275 megawatts of battery storage to SMUD’s power grid – enough to power over 70,000 homes. The solar panels generate that power, while the battery storage system captures and holds it so it’s available when the sun isn’t shining and demand is highest. Together, they make the grid more reliable and efficient.
The project is part of SMUD’s renewable energy portfolio and supports our Zero Carbon Plan, the Sacramento County Climate Action Plan and California’s SB 100 – the state mandate requiring 100 percent clean energy by 2045.
How does a project like this go from idea to public review?
Utility-scale energy projects require extensive preparation before they’re ready for public review. That preliminary work includes evaluating potential sites, conducting environmental resource surveys, assessing grid connection points, securing land options and determining technical and financial feasibility.
For Twin Cities Solar, that preparation included evaluating multiple properties across the region. The Rancho Seco area emerged as the strongest candidate for a practical reason: existing transmission infrastructure already has the capacity to receive up to 275 megawatts of new power. Connecting here requires less than a mile of new transmission line. Building elsewhere could require entirely new transmission corridors across much longer distances – driving up costs, permitting timelines, environmental impacts and mitigation requirements to the point where a project could have a significant impact on SMUD rates to be viable.
The Notice of Preparation published in May 2026 marked the official start of public engagement. The next phases of the process – the Environmental Impact Report, public comment periods and Board decisions – all have opportunities for community input.
No final decisions have been made.
How will SMUD work with the community throughout this process?
SMUD is committed to a transparent process that keeps the community informed and engaged. That means public meetings and/or workshops at key milestones, clear and timely communication about project developments and consideration of community input as the process moves forward.
We are also committed to identifying mitigations that address community concerns directly, while delivering grid reliability.
Why does SMUD secure land options before the public is notified?
Before a project can be announced, a site must be identified and assessed for feasibility.
To conduct due diligence to determine whether a site is suitable, it’s standard practice to enter into an option to purchase or lease. This agreement gives SMUD legal access to the property, time to complete critical assessments and ensures the site remains available while that work is underway. It is not, however, a decision to build.
Once it’s determined a site meets SMUD’s project requirements and objectives, the formal public process begins – starting with the Notice of Preparation, followed by the Environmental Impact Report, public comment periods and ultimately a final Board decision. These steps are open to the public and the community’s comments are part of the official record as we work through the process.
How are people notified about the project and how can I stay informed?
We’re committed to working with the community. State law requires SMUD to notify property owners located next to the proposed project site. For a project of this size and scope, we recognize that impact extends well beyond that radius – and we’re committed to reaching further.
In addition to required notices, SMUD undertakes stakeholder outreach, holds additional community meetings and provides information through the project website, email updates and social media. SMUD has extended the current public comment period through Oct. 16 and will hold another public meeting in the fall. Another opportunity for public feedback occurs when the Draft Environmental Impact Report is released, anticipated in early 2027.
For the latest information, please visit this website or email TwinCitiesSolar@smud.org.
Written comments submitted to the project email during comment periods become part of the official public record. Specifically, comments received during the scoping period specific to environmental impacts will be incorporated into the Draft EIR. Comments received during the Draft EIR comment period will be responded to in the Final EIR.
Why is this project proposed here and not somewhere else?
Site selection involved evaluating multiple properties across the region. Beyond the existing transmission infrastructure at Rancho Seco, other factors that made this site viable include limited biological resources, existing road access and land availability from willing sellers.
Properties to the east of Rancho Seco that SMUD owns are currently protected under a conservation easement and are not available for development.
The environmental review will include a formal alternatives analysis that will address this in more detail.
How will SMUD assess visual impacts of the project?
The Environmental Impact Report will evaluate the project’s potential impacts on the surrounding community.
SMUD is committed to design choices that minimize the project’s visual footprint. Facilities will use matte, non-glossy finishes designed to blend with the natural landscape. Post-construction, parts of the site will be vegetated with grazing and pollinator-friendly plants, and the project includes plans for sheep grazing that preserve agricultural character of the land. SMUD will evaluate screening options to mitigate visual impacts.
What happens next and when does the community get to weigh in again?
The environmental review process is just getting started and there are several additional opportunities for community involvement.
The public scoping period has been extended through Oct. 16 and SMUD will schedule another public meeting that will occur before Oct. 16.
Additionally, the Draft Environmental Impact Report is anticipated in early 2027. When it’s released, SMUD will hold a third public meeting and open a formal comment period. This is an impactful opportunity for community input – every substantive comment submitted becomes part of the official public record and must be addressed before any final decision is made.
To be notified of the next public meeting and when the Draft Environmental Impact Report is released, visit smud.org/TwinCitiesSolar or email TwinCitiesSolar@smud.org to join our distribution list.
Additional questions?
Please email TwinCitiesSolar@smud.org with questions or to request to be added to the project distribution list.