Stop the AES Rancho Viejo Solar Lithium-ion Battery Project
To: Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners (BCC):
We, the undersigned residents, age 18 and older, of Santa Fe County, New Mexico (which includes the City of Santa Fe), respectfully petition the Santa Fe Board of County Commissioners to reject the proposed AES Rancho Viejo solar lithium-ion battery project application for a CUP (Conditional Use Permit). We believe this project will not benefit the residents of Santa Fe County and poses significant risks and challenges that have not been adequately addressed and it represents an effort by an out-of-state corporation to extract wealth and value from our county while leaving residents to absorb all the risk.
These risks and challenges include:
- Water and Air Contamination: Toxic PFAS (known as forever chemicals) contained in batteries, fire suppression systems, and the herbicides used to reduce vegetation will be released — spreading by winds and seeping into the ground and water aquifers.
- Increased Fire Risk: Lithium-ion battery storage facilities are known to pose fire hazards that can cause evacuations and sheltering-in-place orders, and potential for panic. (There have been three documented fires at AES battery facilities in the last five years.)
- Lack of Comprehensive Evaluation: The County has never evaluated a project of this size and complexity before and lacks specific land use regulations and standards. — THE AES APPLICATION DOES NOT MEET THE CRITERIA FOR A CUP (Conditional Use Permit) application, per the SLDC (Sustainable Land Use Development Code) 4.9.64. — A 100% DESIGN APPROVAL SHOULD BE REQUIRED to assure the health and safety, of residents and the environment — 30% is not enough!
- Hidden Costs to Residents and Homeowners: Much of the ongoing testing, mitigation, risk management, and losses to property, environment, and health — throughout the life of the project and for future generations —will be at the expense of residents, government and local services. — Home values and insurance rates may also be negatively impacted.
- Additional Concerns: Santa Fe County does not have sufficient number of FIRST RESPONDERS and HAZMAT EQUIPMENT. — LOCAL SOLAR PROJECTS and the businesses that serve them will be adversely effected. — NOISE POLLUTION, LIGHT POLLUTION, new above-ground HIGH-POWERED ELECTRICAL LINES, impact to WILDLIFE and corridors, CONSTRUCTION, lack of independent MONITORING, ALARM SYSTEMS, CYBERSECURITY.
- Due Process Rights: While AES has been consulting with the County for a number of years, community groups have often been denied the privilege of access, leading to a disenfranchisement of Santa Fe citizens and a growing concern that our voice is less important than that of a multinational corporation.
By signing this petition, we, the residents of Santa Fe County, express our opposition to the AES project and our commitment to protecting our community from its potential dangers. We urge the County Commissioners to reject the proposed AES application and to consider better renewable energy alternatives that are smarter, safer, and more equitable for Santa Fe.
You will receive a confirmation by email in approximately two hours. Petition signatures will only be shared with the Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners. CEC will email updates from time to time about this petition, upcoming hearings, etc., and you’ll always have the option to opt out.
The Clean Energy Coalition for Santa Fe County (CEC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization run by volunteers and can be reached by email at info@cleanenergycoalitionsfc.org or cleanenergycoalitionsfc@gmail.com.