Planned solar farms east of Bend spark debate

A California company, Cypress Creek Renewables, wants to shed light on renewable energy east of Bend. Using two solar farms, they plan to provide enough energy for 3,000 homes, but first they have to gain approval from a Deschutes County hearings officer.

As a part of the plan, the company would like to build two solar farms north of Highway 20 and Neff Road and west of Erickson Road that would generate a total of 20 megawatts.

But not everyone is on board, and concerned neighbors helped fill the hearing’s meeting room Tuesday night.

For some who live east of Bend, the idea of two 70-acre solar farms near their homes is not appealing.

“Just in general, I certainly would be opposed to many thousands of solar panels looking at me in the morning when I get up to have my morning coffee,” said Frank Izo.

Izo lives near the area, on property zoned for exclusive farm use. But Jason Carr, community relations manager of Cypress Creek Renewables, said even those areas are a perfect location.

“The state of Oregon adopted laws that allow for energy projects to exist on those types of land, with conditional use permits,” Carr said.

With Central Oregon’s sunny climate, Carr believes the farms could power Bend-area homes in an environmentally friendly way.

“One of the real benefits of this particular area is that there’s an energy corridor that already exists,” Carr said.

Izo though, is not yet a believer.

“While I believe in the environment, I think this is too fast, too far,” Izo said. “I don’t think it’s a proven concept.”

He said he also thinks adding the farms will make the east side of Bend less appealing.

“Who is going to want to build a home next door or close to a solar array that that’s 70 to 100 acres,” Izo said. “It, to me, doesn’t make sense.”

Carr said the energy created from the farms will be solely used and sold in Central Oregon.

“This would have a local benefit,” Carr said. “It’s not going to California, or it’s not being sent elsewhere. So citizens right here in Central Oregon would benefit from the use of renewable energy.”

With both sides making their presentations, the clock on when a decision will be made starts now.

The hearings officer is keeping the record open for more evidence until July 21. Then the applicant gets seven days to respond to any new information, so the record closes July 30, Carr said. It’s likely to be late August before a ruling is issued.