California Energy Commission’s staff has come up with its preliminary conclusions regarding the Beacon Solar Energy Project.

An engineering and environmental evaluation of the Beacon Solar Energy Project (BSEP) Application for Certification by California Energy Commission has revealed that with the exception of Soil and Water Resources and Visual Resources, the BSEP’s potential impacts could be mitigated to a less than significant level.

The project is a concentrated solar electric generating facility proposed on an approximately 2,012-acre site in Kern County, California. The project will have a nominal electrical output of 250 MW and commercial operation is planned to commence by the third quarter of 2011.

The staff believes the impacts to Visual Resources cannot be mitigated.

As per the Preliminary Staff Assessment (PSA), the BSEP would not comply with certain applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, and standards (LORS), nor comply with state water policies that pertain to the use of fresh, water in industrial applications and power plant cooling systems. BSEP’s proposed use of potable groundwater for power plant cooling and the project’s process and potable water needs would cause a significant adverse impact to potable water resources.

Related links: California Energy Commission