Twin Cities Solar Project

As part of our commitment to provide safe, reliable and carbon free electricity, we’re proposing a new solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) project to connect to our electric grid providing clean, renewable energy.

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 improving the resilience of our electric grid.

Project description

The Twin Cities Solar and BESS Project consists of the construction and operation of a photovoltaic (PV) solar power and 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 decommissioned Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating Station. The northern area is approximately 980 acres and the western area is approximately 707 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 and farmland and farm roads to the west, north and east. The western project area is bordered by Clay East Road to the south, Twin Cities Road to the northwest and the decommissioned Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating Station to the east.

Timeline

Construction begins 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 EIR will be prepared for the project. The NOP includes information about the project and its 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 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

A 30-day public review period for the EIR is May 26 through June 25. Email written comments to TwinCitiesSolar@smud.org or mail to:

Jerry Park
SMUD Environmental Services
6201 S Street
Sacramento, CA 95817

Public meeting

Join us to learn more and provide comments on the proposed project and the EIR:

Thursday, June 11, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Arcohe Union Elementary School
11755 Ivie Road
Herald, CA 95638

The public meeting is an opportunity for interested parties to provide input on the project, though we will not make any decisions. You can submit comments in writing at the meeting or by email to TwinCitiesSolar@smud.org by June 25.

Documents

• Notice of Preparation
• Environmental Impact Report

Questions?

Please email TwinCitiesSolar@smud.org.