“I am delighted that this program was extended by Congress,” said Howard Trott, Managing Director of Teanaway Solar Reserve. “This program has lead to many renewable projects across the country. While it’s not vital to the success of our solar project, it demonstrates Americans’ strong support of renewable energy projects in the United States and here in Washington. My thanks to Senators Murray and Cantwell for their tireless efforts to promote renewable energy projects.”

The Treasury Grant Program, originally enacted in 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, allows direct payments to renewable energy developers in lieu of tax incentives. This ensures direct investment into projects that are shovel-ready – creating jobs and increasing our renewable energy portfolio. According to a letter from Senators Murray and Cantwell, the program has invested $18.2 billion in renewable energy, resulting in an additional 8,600 megawatts of energy nation-wide, creating jobs, raising revenue, and developing 21^st Century energy.

TSR will bring more than 200 construction jobs and 35 permanent jobs to an economically depressed community about 90 miles east of Seattle. The project will also produce a significant revenue stream, generating more than $97 million in purchases of goods and services during construction, and more than $1.5 million annually in property tax revenues to support local schools, roads and hospitals.

For additional information, please visit www.teanawaysolarreserve.com

###

"TSR solar farm project work ongoing"

For THE DAILY RECORD

Despite the three legal challenges filed against aspects of the Teanaway Solar Reserve, the project is moving forward in detailed planning and negotiations, according to a TSR spokesman.

Ron Dotzauer, spokesman for Teanaway Solar Reserve LLC, said various parts of the huge project are worked on and move forward each day, although a major task at this time is to deal with the three legal challenges.

“All the various aspects of this project are important,” Dotzauer said last week. “Yet, if we don’t clean up the legal issues that have arisen we can’t move forward. Right now, the legal issues have our attention.”

Dotzauer, CEO of Strategies 360 of Seattle, detailed some of the current TSR work as the following:

¦ Negotiations are ongoing with several private and public utilities on purchase agreements with one or more of the utilities to buy the power generated by the TSR solar farm.

¦ Talks are being “actively pursued”   on securing a company and a site in Upper County for the assembling of solar panel components for the project and to establish a new business in the Cle Elum area.

excerpt from Ellensburg Daily Record December 13, 2010 print edition.

Kittitas County commissioners have unanimously approved guidelines for the construction and operation of the $350 million Teanaway Solar Reserve project in Upper County.

Project officials, after the commissioners' action, said the Kittitas County Board of Adjustment's Aug. 11 granting of a permit for the solar farm, and county commissioners approving a development agreement, clears the way for detailed design and planning for all phases of construction.

Plans also can move ahead for a job fair in Upper County focusing on hiring local residents for the project.

"It's full steam ahead," said Ron Dotzauer, CEO of Seattle-based Strategies 360, which has worked on the project. "This is an exciting opportunity not just for Upper County but for all communities in Kittitas County." Daily Record

Thanks for everyone's continuing support of TSR and a special thanks to those who were able to attend the meeting on Tuesday.

We would not have gotten to where we are today without the wonderful support from all of you. I would like to thank everyone who has shown support over the last year for our project, and especially thank those who came to the Jobs Rally and the hearing last week. Since opening our office on First Street in Cle Elum, we have had the opportunity to get to know many of you. You have welcomed us into this community, and we look forward to supporting you, your children, and the natural resources in the Teanaway.

Read the entire letter here.

WASHINGTON STATE FUTURE HOME TO ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PROJECTS

Teanaway Solar Reserve Gets Permit

Cle Elum, WA – In a landmark decision for the City of Cle Elum, Kittitas County, Washington state and the nation, the Kittitas County Board of Adjustment last night approved a permit for Teanaway Solar Reserve (TSR). The 75-MW project, located 90 miles east of Seattle, will be one of the largest photovoltaic solar facilities in the world.

“With this decision, Kittitas County is in the forefront of the nation’s new renewable energy industry,” says Howard Trott, TSR’s Managing Director. “TSR’s vision to generate green jobs and energy is now a reality, and it marks the start of a new future for Kittitas County and Washington state.”

The five-member board ruled 4-to-1 in favor of issuing the permit. The decision was made after formal presentations by the Kittitas County Office of Community Development and the applicant, and public testimony both in favor and in opposition to the project. Support for TSR was visible, with a vast majority of the 200 attendees in favor of the project.

“This represents a monumental step forward for Kittitas County, and the Upper County in particular.” says Matt Morton, the City Administrator of Cle Elum. “The integrity, partnership and vision TSR has demonstrated will translate into investment in our communities, jobs for our working families and opportunities for our children. We are very pleased that the entire community continues to recognize the significance, value and potential of this environmentally responsible 21^st century technology here in Kittitas County. TSR thought we were the best location and the best community in the world for its investment, and we wholeheartedly agree!” The mayor of Cle Elum, the Cle Elum-Roslyn Chamber of Commerce, and the Economic Development Group of Kittitas County are among the many individuals and organizations that have supported the project.

In a unanimous vote earlier in the evening, the Board of Adjustment denied an appeal to TSR’s SEPA ruling, which had been issued by the Office of Community Development on July 15^th.

The evening began with a green jobs and industry rally at the County Fairgrounds in Ellensburg, where the hearing took place. Community members displayed signs with slogans like, “Jobs For Us” and “Power Local Jobs.”

TSR will bring more than 200 construction jobs and 35 permanent jobs to an economically depressed community about 90 miles east of Seattle. The project will also produce a significant revenue stream, generating more than $97 million in purchases of goods and services during construction, and more than $1.5 million annually in property tax revenues to support local schools, roads and hospitals.

###

BRING ON THE SUN

BRING ON THE BUS

WHAT: Join other community members to rally for jobs on Wednesday, August 11^th.

WHEN: Buses will leave from Cle Elum Dairy Queen at 4:30 PM and return at 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00PM. Food will be provided. If you don’t want to ride the  bus, just meet us there!

DETAILS: It’s a good, old-fashioned rally. At 5:00 we’ll gather at the gazebo at the County Fairgrounds in Ellensburg in support of green jobs. At 6:00 the Board of Adjustment will meet to rule on TSR’s Conditional Use Permit. You are encouraged to stay and speak out.

WHY: In addition to generating clean, renewable energy, Teanaway Solar Reserve is geared up to bring more than 200 construction jobs and 35 permanent positions to the Upper County. The $300-350 million project will translate into $97 million in purchases of goods and services during construction and more than $1.5 million annually in property tax revenues once operational.

“The mine shut down, M.C. Miller closed down, the logging closed down. There’s no industry. Our biggest export here is our children. So what I’m trying to tell you is: this is just great. I’m beside myself.” – Charles Glondo, Mayor of Cle Elum

We’d like to thank Mount Peoh Productions, Chente Benavides and Jeff Jaeger, their staff and the volunteers for putting on a great event that we hope will continue in Cle Elum. Thanks to all the vendors and BBQers for great food as well. The rib-eating contest was especially fun and delicious. Thanks for coming by the booth and talking if you had the chance.

Go to our Updates page for Full Press Release and a copy of the County's MDNS document.

Some harbor hope that the Teanaway Solar Reserve, a solar project proposed for development on 900-plus acres in the Teanaway, will mean jobs and an economic boost for the Upper County.

Officials with Teanaway Solar Reserve LLC have said they hope to have the 400,000 panels needed for the project assembled in the Cle Elum area. (whole article here)

Our economic analysis projects the number of jobs TSR can bring to Cle Elum and the Upper County. TSR can be an economic engine for the Upper County with construction jobs, maintenance jobs (not to mention jobs a solar panel manufacturer can bring). The hope of this project is to make Kittitas County a center for renewable energy in Washington and possibly the US. New economies are emerging and the Upper County can be its home.

Teanaway Solar Reserve decision coming

More public review planned

June 29, 2010

An initial decision may come July 15 on the level of environmental impact the proposed Teanaway Solar Reserve project may create.

That determination, by Kittitas County consulting landuse planner Anna Nelson, will begin another round of public review of the project that proposes the installation of 400,000 photovoltaic (solar) panels at a 982-acre site four miles northwest of Cle Elum leased from the American Forest Land Co.

The review may lead to a public hearing, tentatively set for Aug. 11, on the project’s request to the Kittitas County Board of Adjustment for a conditional-use permit for construction and operation of the facility. The project is planned for a maximum generating capacity of 75 megawatts of electricity.

County Planner Dan Valoff said Nelson’s decision will likely list a limited number of environmental impacts expected to be created by the project.

Solar farm proponents then must take specific steps to significantly lessen those impacts to construct and   operate the solar facility.

Appeal period

Proponents of the estimated $300 million to $350 million project, a group of investors called Teanaway Solar LLC, plan to use 477 acres of leased land.

After a decision on the   project, individuals and groups have 10 working days to appeal the environmental impact declaration. The fivemember Board of Adjustment would hear and decide on any appeal.

When the environmental review of the project is complete, the Adjustment Board   will conduct a public hearing to scrutinize whether to issue a conditional-use permit.

The board can attach any number of conditions to a permit. The board also can turn down the permit or call for more work on the proposal.

What’s happened so far

The comment period on environmental impacts was lengthened on the project after Nelson called on the partnership to submit more information. The partnership later asked for more time to research and provide the requested data.

Public open house events also were conducted on the project. In addition, the proponent has submitted a supplemental permit application with more information.

Added review time also took place to allow the appointment of a technical advisory committee for the project, and for the committee to meet and work on recommended mitigation measures.

Jim Fossett at The Northern Kittitas County Tribune has more information on what plans TSR has after this process in his June 17 article:

Nonetheless, Meagan Walker, a public relations officer for Teanaway Solar Reserve, said she's pleased with progress so far.

"We hope we'll have the first decision, on the environmental checklist, soon," she said.

"When we clear the Board of Adjustment, with a Conditional Use Permit in hand, we'll move very quickly to start hiring locally, beginning with a job fair. At that point we'll announce the scope of the jobs we have to offer and how people go about applying for them. We are determined to hire locally."

You can read the whole article: TSR waiting for Green Lights - NKCT June 17. Be sure to check back with our announcements about the county's decision and the exact date for the public meeting with the Board of Adjustment.