ENTERGY ARKANSAS, LLC
PROPOSED SOLAR POWERED GENERATION STATION
Notice is hereby given that Entergy Arkansas, LLC (EAL) will file with the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) on or about Friday, January 15, 2021 (the Application Filing Date), an Application for approval to proceed with a Build-Own-Transfer Agreement for a 180 MW Solar Photovoltaic Generation Station (West Memphis Solar Project). The West Memphis Solar Project, located in Crittenden County, west of Marion and West Memphis and along US Interstate 40, consists of constructing a new solar power electrical generation facility with an approximately 4-mile transmission line extension that will connect to the existing EAL Kuhn Road 161kV Substation. The solar facility will be designed and constructed by a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC of Juno Beach, Florida and upon completion will be purchased by EAL. The Solar Generation Station will be constructed on a footprint of approximately 1,600 acres located within an approximate 3,600-acre study area presented in the above map.
The West Memphis Solar Project will add to EAL’s electrical generation resources, which will help EAL continue to provide reliable electric service within its service area. Construction, operation, and maintenance of the solar power facilities should offer minimal adverse environmental impact to the natural, cultural, residential, commercial, recreational, and industrial environment. Once operational, the proposed electrical facilities would have little, if any, adverse impacts on the surrounding environment.
Information relative to the filing in this matter may be obtained from the Secretary of the APSC, 1000 Center Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201, or on the APSC website, http://www.arkansas.gov/psc/index.htm. Following the Application Filing Date, a copy of the redacted Application and related filing documents, which includes the Environmental Impact Statement associated with the West Memphis Solar Project will be available for inspection during normal business hours at the following libraries in Crittenden County: (1) Arkansas State University Mid-South; (2) Crawfordsville Branch Library; (3) Earle Branch Library; (4) Edmondson Branch Library; (5) Gilmore Branch Library; (6) Horseshoe Branch Library; (7) Turrell Branch Library; (8) West Memphis Public Library; and (9) Woolfolk Public Library.
Interventions and limited appearances for interested persons should be filed in compliance with the provisions of APSC Rules of Practice and Procedure (APSC Rule) 4.02. Petitions for leave to intervene or limited appearances must be filed with the APSC within thirty (30) days of January 15, 2021, the date set forth above as the Application Filing Date, unless good cause is shown pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 23-18-517 et seq., and APSC Rule 6.04(c).
A public hearing date may be set by the APSC. If a public hearing is set, it would be expected to be held at the APSC building in Little Rock, Arkansas, located at 1000 Center Street or accomplished in a paper or virtual format as directed by the Commission. The purpose of any such hearing may include the APSC hearing evidence related to the need for the West Memphis Solar Project and several other factors, including the probable environmental impact of the proposed facility; its cost and customer impact; any alternatives; and conformance with project plans and applicable laws so that the APSC can determine whether the West Memphis Solar Project is reasonable and will serve the public interest.
For further information regarding this matter, contact the office of the Secretary to the APSC and reference APSC Docket No. 20-067-U. Alternatively, you can contact EAL through: