The California Energy Commission (CEC) has approved the Soda Mountain Solar Project in San Bernardino County through its Opt-In Certification program, a permitting pathway designed to accelerate clean energy deployment across the state.
Developed by Soda Mountain Solar, LLC, a subsidiary of VC Renewables, the nearly $700 million project will generate up to 300 megawatts (MW) of solar energy and include up to 300 MW of battery storage capable of storing 1,200 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy.
The project will be located on approximately 2,670 acres of Bureau of Land Management land in San Bernardino County, contingent on BLM approval.
“This project doesn’t solely deliver clean, reliable energy — it brings jobs and meaningful economic investment to the region,” said CEC Commissioner Noemi Gallardo, in a statement. “We are committed to seeing that the benefits of California’s energy transition are felt locally, in the communities where these projects are built.”
The project is expected to create approximately 200 construction jobs and up to 40 part-time operations jobs, along with millions of dollars in local economic activity and tax revenue for San Bernardino County.
A community benefits agreement also commits the developer to contribute $50,000 to Friends of El Mirage, a local nonprofit supporting outdoor recreation and public land stewardship.
Soda Mountain is the second project approved through the Opt-In Certification Program, which was authorized under Assembly Bill 205 to support California’s goal of achieving 100% zero-carbon retail electric sales by 2045.
Read more here.
