Solar plant permit OK'd

In what could be the first of many, a planned solar plant is one step closer to coming to Dateland, and Yuma County officials say they're excited.

Wednesday, the Yuma County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a special use permit for the Agua Caliente Solar Project, a planned solar plant 70 miles east of Yuma. The vote was made in the planning and zoning portion of the meeting, which was in the afternoon.

If the group obtains one final permit later this month from the Arizona Corporation Commission, the project could be a reality.

County Administrator Robert Pickels said the county hopes this could be the first of many.

"We're extremely excited about it," he said. "It's really exciting to have (a plant) here in Yuma County that will help lay the foundation for more projects in the future."

Supervisor Casey Prochaska, who represents the area where the plant would be built, said she also thinks it will break the ground for other projects.

"It's a great place for a plant of that type to locate. I think there will be a demand  and this will be the first of several that Yuma County attracts," Prochaska said, talking about an increased demand for manufacturing as the economy improves.

Representatives with NextLight Renewable Power LLC, the energy company developing the plant, were unavailable for comment Wednesday.

In addition to approving the special use permit for the plant, at the morning portion of the meeting, the supervisors voted to approve removing four Juvenile Court positions because of state budget cuts.

The item was discussed separately from the consent agenda, and Vice Chairman Russell McCloud asked why they had to eliminate the position just because it is currently not funded.

"If there was a way to help you out in this matter, I'd love to," he said.

County staff said that traditionally, when funding is taken away from a position, it is removed. Pickels previously told the Yuma Sun the four positions had been dark since July.

The supervisors also approved the purchase of eight new Ford 4x4 pickups for the Yuma County Sheriff's Office. The trucks are currently replaced when they hit the 100,000-mile mark, said Capt. Eben Bratcher.

Yuma County Public Works will also get a few new vehicles after the board approved the purchase of three Peterbuilt dump trucks.