What’s DIA working on?

OPALCO SOLAR FARM

Decatur residents who have attended DIA meetings and members of the DIA leadership team have consistently been opposed to the Opalco plan to expand the solar array on Decatur Island.  We do not believe any mitigation efforts would make the expansion acceptable or feasible. We believe the proposed expansion will harm Decatur Island residents because:

• The proposed Opalco project includes cutting and removal of mature trees from the Island.  These trees store carbon and provide a natural habitat for wildlife, they increase the peaceful environment on the Island. 

• A large industrial site in the center of the Island will reduce property values and negatively impact the Island's fragile infrastructure.

• The proposed solar array will not provide meaningful additional energy for use by Decatur Island residents - or any other residents of San Juan County.

• A larger array, without the addition of multiple and very expensive batteries, which are not part of Opalco's plan, will make the larger array ineffective

• The Opalco proposal for a larger Decatur array will not be adequate to even minimally address any future BPA energy shortfalls.

• The Opalco proposal for Decatur is a fall back after the project was rejected by San Juan Island residents. Decatur Island should not be treated differently from other islands in light of the strong opposition to the project by Decatur residents.

In short, the proposed Decatur solar array project is not necessary or useful.  It is clear that a larger array will create significant, negative impacts on the environment and the overall well-being of Island residents.  

DIA unequivocally opposes the expansion of the solar array.  Any other communications to the contrary does not represent the position of DIA on this important issue.