Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan (VCIP)

The Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan (VCIP), managed by the Westlands Water District, is a comprehensive blueprint for the development of clean energy facilities and supporting infrastructure across approximately 136,000 acres of repurposed farmland in Fresno and Kings Counties, California. The project aims to achieve a total generating and delivery capacity of up to 21,000 MW through the construction of solar photovoltaic facilities and battery energy storage systems. This development is supported by an infrastructure plan that includes the installation of gen-tie lines, collection substations, and connecting transmission lines, with a construction timeline spanning ten years from 2029 through 2038. The project is governed by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and is designed to support the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act via the Westside Subbasin Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Formal approval was granted on December 16, 2025, following a Program Environmental Impact Report that addressed significant impacts on aesthetics and agricultural resources. Key requirements include the posting of performance bonds to guarantee site decommissioning and reclamation, strict confidentiality regarding tribal cultural resources, and adherence to safety standards such as UL 9540 for battery storage. The project also incorporates specific safety mandates for pedestrians and bicyclists and follows federal guidelines for hazardous materials transportation and pesticide labeling.