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Discuss and Consider Ratification of the August 12, 2026, Airport Land Use Commission Letter Supporting the County’s Supplemental Comments to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) Regarding the Solano 5 Wind Repower Project.
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Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _ x_
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _ x_
DISCUSSION:
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is currently pursuing the Solano 5 Wind Repower Project (“Project”). The Project proposes replacing existing wind turbines within the Solano Wind Resource Area with fewer, larger turbines. As part of its environmental review of the project, SMUD is preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR).
On July 23, 2026, County and ALUC’s Wind Turbine Project Ad Hoc Subcommittee (“ALUC”) met with SMUD to discuss the Project and SMUD’s responses to comments previously submitted regarding the Project. Following that meeting, the County and ALUC remained concerned that SMUD had not provided sufficient technical information demonstrating compliance with the December 2022 Settlement and Release Agreement relating to the Solano 4 Wind Repower Project. Among other things, the Settlement Agreement contemplated collecting and analyzing preconstruction and postconstruction radar performance data from the Solano 4 Wind Repower Project to inform the evaluation of future wind repowering projects in Solano County. (Attachment A.)
On August 12, 2026, the County submitted supplemental comments to SMUD requesting that SMUD defer issuance of the Solano 5 Wind Repower Project DEIR until it provides the technical reports, analyses, and supporting documentation necessary to demonstrate compliance with the Settlement Agreement and explains how the Solano 4 Wind Repower Project radar data and any resulting changes to the modeling methodology were incorporated into the Solano 5 Wind Repower Project’s analysis. (Attachment B.)
Because the issues raised by the County directly concern potential radar impacts and compatibility with operations at Travis Air Force Base, a letter was also transmitted on behalf of the ALUC joining in the County’s comments. (Attachment C.) The ALUC letter states that the information requested by the County is necessary to adequately evaluate the Project’s potential impacts on radar operations and its compatibility with the Travis Air Force Base Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
Due to the anticipated timing of SMUD’s release of the Solano 5 DEIR, the ALUC letter was transmitted before the Commission's next regularly scheduled meeting. The letter was signed by the ALUC Chair and sent to SMUD on August 12, 2026.
The matter is now being presented to the Commission to discuss the action taken and determine whether the Commission wishes to ratify the August 12, 2026, letter submitted on behalf of the ALUC.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - 2022 Settlement Agreement -SMUD
B - County Supplemental Comments on Solano 4 Settlement and Solano 5 NOP
C - 2026.08.06 ALUC Support for County Comments Solano 5
D - Attachments A & B to County Supplemental Comment Letter