Award Number: DE-EE0000095CX(s) Applied: A9, B5.16Office of Indian Energy Location(s): COOffice(s): Golden Field Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
July 25, 2017
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Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Community Scale Solar Initiative
Award Number: DE-EE0000095
CX(s) Applied: A9, B5.16
Office of Indian Energy
Location(s): CO
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide funding to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (UMUT) for the installation of a 1 MW community-scale fixed axis ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) facility on approximately 4.5 acres of tribally owned land in Towaoc, Colorado. Analyses of the solar array’s performance, operation and maintenance, impact of crediting structures, and impact on UMUT’s goal to reduce and stabilize energy costs on the reservation would also be performed.
The site selected for the array installation is currently part of a 49.8 acre center-pivot irrigated agricultural field located within the Economic Development District that would be repurposed for use by the solar array and other potential future alternative uses. This DOE project would involve the installation of the solar array as well as transmission equipment. Interconnection to an existing substation, located approximately 500 feet to the west-southwest, would be underground by trenching. Ground disturbing activities include: leveling of the array location, excavation for concrete pad installation, and trenching for underground wires and interconnect. Access roads already exist but may need to be modified and improved for heavy equipment access. Total ground disturbance is expected to be less than five acres and would occur within previously disturbed areas (e.g. actively managed agricultural land and existing roads).