Use Permit Application No. PLN2025-0075 – Saltgrass Energy Storage

Request to establish a 162Mw/650MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) facility across an 18.74± acre project site located in the General Agriculture (A-2-40) zoning district. The proposed BESS facility will tie into the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Salado Substation located 451± feet to the east across the California Aqueduct via underground and overhead 115kV lines. The following equipment is proposed under this request: 136 sets of battery cubes and cabinets with each set containing eight battery cubes; 32 transformers; and 128 inverters supporting the site. The battery sets will be bolted on concrete pads. The battery sets will be placed at a setback of 150-feet from the front property line off Oak Flat Road. A 1,316 square-foot office trailer and modular restroom are proposed on-site for operation of the facility along with 15 striped parking spaces. A 3.11± acre portion on-site is proposed for a future interconnected substation for the BESS facility. Two to four full-time employees are expected to remain on-site for operation and maintenance 12 hours a day, Monday-Saturday, and on Sundays as-needed. Up to 40 visitors are anticipated on-site throughout the year. The applicant proposes a six-foot-tall chain link fence with slats around the perimeter of the project site; and screening comprised of a minimum 20± foot-wide landscape strip around the north, west and south of the project site consisting of drought tolerant trees and shrubs. Surface water via a pipeline from the Western Hills Water District will irrigate the proposed landscape and provide water for fire suppression; however, on-site fire suppression will still be required, if the project is approved. The project will take access onto County-maintained Oak Flat Road via a gravel driveway. Throughout the project site, the applicant has proposed 20± foot-wide gravel access roads around the BESS facility. Stormwater drainage will be maintained on-site via underground storage. No on-site well or septic system is proposed as part of this project.