Politics & Government

Sustainability Commission Doesn't Oppose Project but Insists That City Apply for Funding

There is some disagreement on whether Valero/Good News Steering Committee money can be loaned.

The Community Sustainability Commission voted Friday to make the city act like any other entity requesting money for a green project and submit an application.  While commissioners commended the city for the and found that it meets all the requirements for funding approval, they also decided to treat the city like any other group requesting funding from the Valero Good Neighbor Steering Committee settlement.

The last piece of the project, the panels to power Pump Station 3 at the corner of Rose Drive and East Second Street, will require 1.8 acres of solar panels on land currently owned by Valero.  The request the Community Sustainability Commission heard on Friday was for a loan to pay for that land.

The Benicia Herald reports that the request will come back to the sustainability commission at its regularly scheduled meeting May 21.

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The project has upset some in the community because of the requirement that in order to get maximum sunlight for the project.

On Tuesday, April 24 the City Council voted to purchase the land.  At that meeting there was some disagreement on whether the Valero Good Neighbor Steering Committee settlement funds could be loaned.

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City Attorney Heather McLaughlin indicated that because loans were not prohibited in the agreement, a loan could be made.

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