By Rita Shirley LeBleu
The Rotary Club of DeQuincy heard details at its Thursday, Aug. 6 lunch and learn. Amanda Hoffman, Orion Renewable Energy Group, said the approximately 4,600-acre development will straddle Ward 6 and Ward 1 in North Calcasieu Parish (near Holbrook Park entrance and Ward 6 Fire Dept. Training Facility) After a brief “Solar 101,” Hoffman outlined how the DeQuincy community could benefit.
“We’re working with Calcasieu Parish School Board and a number of other organizations that we hope to have long-term money,” said Hoffman.
Calcasieu Parish School Board Member Tony O’Banion said he has met with Hoffman several times. He doesn’t have the final numbers yet, but money will go directly to DeQuincy Primary, Elementary, Middle and High Schools.
Community Center Playground District No. 1 of Ward Six will receive $500,000 when construction begins, and $100,000 a year for the life of the project with a 30 percent increase after every 10 years, according to Hoffman. Ward One Recreation, Moss Bluff, will receive the exact same deal. District Fire Departments will receive $125,000 initially – that’s the cost of a brush buggy, a needed piece of equipment – and $100,000 yearly. That will increase 30 percent every 10 years.
The 4,600 acres includes about 20 landowners. Those living adjacent to the project will receive $5,000 yearly. Those living one-third of a mile away from the project will receive $2,500 yearly.
Unlike other energy developments going on in Louisiana, The Orion Persimmon Energy Project, is not eligible for the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP).
The Persimmon Energy Center is estimated to be a $1.7 billion dollar investment. Conversations started with landowners in 2019.
“It’s taken a while to get to this point,” Hoffman said, “not because we didn’t have interest. It’s just because we had a lot of other stuff going on so we finally got back to this project.”
Additional reports will need to be completed before permitting begins, she told Rotarians. Calcasieu Parish has specific rules in place for solar developments. The development will adhere to and exceed ordinance standards, according to information published in its handout.
Calcasieu Parish has a well-thought out decommissioning policy to which solar energy developers must adhere. Orion will post 125 percent of the worth of the equipment that goes out onto the land prior to the start of construction. If the operator walks away from the project, the money is in place to remove the equipment.
“That is very unique because no other government that I know of, requires that,” Hoffman said.
Orion is a small company with only 40 employees. However, projects have been completed across the United States.
Once the boxes are checked for Calcasieu Parish Land Use Board and Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, the project is “shopped out to someone who wants to purchase the power,” Hoffman said.
The purchaser could be an electric energy company, industrial or commercial user, Hoffman said. She also cleared up some misconceptions during her talk. This solar energy project will not lower electricity bills for residents in the area even if purchased by a local electric company.
No panels will be located within 300 feet of a residential property line. Greenspace buffers will include trees and shrubs between the project fenceline and nearby homes and public roads.
Inverters will be located internal to the project, where they will not be heard from any home. There is no glare associated with solar panels as the units absorb rather than reflect the sun. A special grass will be planted on the site.
The fence will be at a height that deer can jump and installed to allow small animals to pass under it.
The site will be manned 24/7, according to Hoffman.
