Starlight Solar

PDS2022-MUP-22-010; LOG NO. PDS2022-ER-22-21-002

The Project includes a Major Use Permit (PDS2022-MUP-22-010) for the development of a utility-scale solar generation and battery energy storage facility.

The Starlight Solar Project (Project) consists of a Major Use Permit on approximately 588 acres in southeastern unincorporated San Diego County. The Project includes photovoltaic solar arrays capable of generating up to 100 megawatts (MW) of alternating current (AC) electricity and a 217.4 MW battery energy storage system (BESS), constructed in two phases. Supporting infrastructure includes inverters, transformers, an on-site collector substation, and a generation-tie (gen-tie) line connecting to the SDG&E Boulevard Substation. The gen-tie line would be mostly underground with one overhead crossing of Tule Jim Lane. The Project also includes an off-site biological open space easement on approximately 448 acres to protect sensitive vegetation communities, special-status species, and habitat. Photovoltaic (PV) modules would be mounted on single-axis trackers or fixed-tilt structures with a maximum height of 12 feet. Zoning Use Regulations for the site is General Rural (S92). The General Plan Designation for the site is Rural Lands (RL-80), and the General Plan Regional Category is Rural. The Project is located south of the community of Boulevard, east of Tierra Del Sol Road. Access to the site would be provided by Jewel Valley Road, with secondary emergency access via Tule Jim Lane.

A Draft Environmental Impact Report (Draft EIR) for the proposed Project was prepared and made available for public review from July 31, 2025 to September 15, 2025. During this review period, the County received comment letters from Tribes, agencies, non-agency organizations, and individuals. Hard copies of the Draft Environmental Impact Report were available for public review at the County Planning & Development Services Department  at 5510 Overland Avenue and were also available at the Jacumba Library, 44605 Old Highway 80, Jacumba Hot Springs, CA 91934.

Following the close of the Draft EIR public review and comment period, the County has prepared responses to comments received on the Draft EIR, provided below. Through the preparation of the Final EIR, the County has also made minor revisions to the text of the Draft EIR, which are provided in the chapters of the Final EIR noted below.

(*) Document links with an asterisk have been added or revised since the Public Review Period. 

Public Meeting Participation:

A special meeting was held on August 7, 2025 at 39919 Ribbonwood Road, Boulevard, CA, 91905 at 7:00 PM.

Resources from Public Meeting:

Project KMZ File

Please direct any questions or formal comments to the project contact below.

Project Contact: Nicholas Koutoufidis | Nicholas.Koutoufidis1@sdcounty.ca.gov | (619) 340-5481

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DRAFT FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT

*Cover Page, Table of Contents, and List of Acronyms

*Executive Summary

*CHAPTER 1 - Project Description, Location, Setting

*CHAPTER 2 - Environmental Effects Found to be Significant

*2.1 Aesthetics
*2.2 Biological Resources
*2.3 Cultural Resources
2.4 Hydrology and Water Quality
*2.5 Noise
*2.6 Tribal Cultural Resources
*2.7 Wildfire

CHAPTER 3 - Environmental Effects Found Not to be Significant

3.1.1 Air Quality
3.1.2 Energy
3.1.3 Geologic Hazards, Soils, and Paleontological Resources
3.1.4 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
*3.1.5 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
3.1.6 Land Use and Planning
3.1.7 Mineral Resources
3.1.8 Public Services
3.1.9 Transportation and Traffic
3.1.10 Utilities and Service Systems
3.2 Effects Found Not Significant as Part of the Initial Study

CHAPTER 4 - Project Alternatives

*CHAPTER 5 - List of Mitigation Measures

*CHAPTER 6 - List of EIR Preparers and Persons and Organizations Contacted

*CHAPTER 7 - List of References

*CHAPTER 8 - Response to Comments and Revisions to the Draft EIR *NEW*

COMMENTS RECEIVED DURING PUBLIC REVIEW OF DRAFT EIR

8.2.1 Global Responses

8.2.2 Tribal Comment Letters and Responses

8.2.3 Agency Comment Letters and Responses

8.2.4 Organization Comment Letters and Responses

8.2.5 Individual Comment Letters and Responses

Late Manzanita Letter and Response

...

TECHNICAL APPENDICES

A NOP, Initial Study, and Public Comments
B-1     Major Use Permit Plot Plans
B-2 Preliminary Grading Plans: Title Sheet-Sheet 2, Sheet 3, Sheets 4-5, Sheet 6, Sheet 7, Sheets 8-9
C Visual Resources Assessment, Appendix A1, Appendix A2, Appendix A3, Appendix A4, Appendices B-C
D Biological Resources Report, Appendices A-G, Appendices H-I, Appendix J1, Appendix J2, Appendix J3, Appendix J4, Appendix J5, Appendices K-L
E Cultural Resources Survey and Inventory, Historic Resources Report, Historic Resources Appendices
F Geotechnical Site Evaluation
G-1 Preliminary Drainage Study, Appendices A-B, Appendices C-D, Appendix E, Appendix F, Appendix G1, Appendix G2, Appendix G3, Appendix H
G-2 Groundwater Monitoring and Mitigation Plan
G-3 Priority Development Project Stormwater Quality Management Plan
G-4 Revised Water Demand Memo
G-5 Groundwater Resources Investigation Report
H-1 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Report
H-2 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Supplemental Memo 2024
H-3 2024 Climate Action Plan Consistency Checklist
H-4 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Supplemental Memo 2025
I Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, Appendix A and B1, Appendix B2, Appendix C
J-1 Noise Analyisis Report
J-2 Construction Traffic Noise Memo
K-1 Transportation Impact Assessment, Appendices
K-2 Traffic Water Truck Memo
L Fire Protection Plan
M Agricultural Resources Review Memo
N Mineral Resources Report
O-1 Preliminary BESS Fire Risk Assessment and Heat Flux Analysis
O-2 Preliminary BESS Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
O-3 Preliminary Balance of Plant Fire Risk Assessment
O-4 Preliminary Balance of Plant Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
O-5 Preliminary Balance of Plant Hazard Mitigation Analysis, Attachment 1 A, Attachment 1 B
O-6 Preliminary First Responders Guide
*O-7 Supplemental Fire Hazard Report *NEW*
P Draft Fire Services Agreement
*Q Facility Water Availability Agreement *NEW*
...

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
 (PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD JULY 31, 2025 - SEPTEMBER 15, 2025)

Cover Page, Table of Contents, and List of Acronyms

Executive Summary

CHAPTER 1 - Project Description, Location, Setting

CHAPTER 2 - Environmental Effects Found to be Significant

2.1 Aesthetics
2.2 Biological Resources
2.3 Cultural Resources
2.4 Hydrology and Water Quality
2.5 Noise
2.6 Tribal Cultural Resources
2.7 Wildfire

CHAPTER 3 - Environmental Effects Found Not to be Significant

3.1.1 Air Quality
3.1.2 Energy
3.1.3 Geologic Hazards, Soils, and Paleontological Resources
3.1.4 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
3.1.5 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
3.1.6 Land Use and Planning
3.1.7 Mineral Resources
3.1.8 Public Services
3.1.9 Transportation and Traffic
3.1.10 Utilities and Service Systems
3.2 Effects Found Not Significant as Part of the Initial Study

CHAPTER 4 - Project Alternatives

CHAPTER 5 - List of Mitigation Measures

CHAPTER 6 - List of EIR Preparers and Persons and Organizations Contacted

CHAPTER 7 - List of References

...

TECHNICAL APPENDICES

A NOP, Initial Study, and Public Comments
B-1     Major Use Permit Plot Plans
B-2 Preliminary Grading Plans: Title Sheet-Sheet 2, Sheet 3, Sheets 4-5, Sheet 6, Sheet 7, Sheets 8-9
C Visual Resources Assessment, Appendix A1, Appendix A2, Appendix A3, Appendix A4, Appendices B-C
D Biological Resources Report, Appendices A-G, Appendices H-I, Appendix J1, Appendix J2, Appendix J3, Appendix J4, Appendix J5, Appendices K-L
E Cultural Resources Survey and Inventory, Historic Resources Report, Historic Resources Appendices
F Geotechnical Site Evaluation
G-1 Preliminary Drainage Study, Appendices A-B, Appendices C-D, Appendix E, Appendix F, Appendix G1, Appendix G2, Appendix G3, Appendix H
G-2 Groundwater Monitoring and Mitigation Plan
G-3 Priority Development Project Stormwater Quality Management Plan
G-4 Revised Water Demand Memo
G-5 Groundwater Resources Investigation Report
H-1 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Report
H-2 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Supplemental Memo 2024
H-3 2024 Climate Action Plan Consistency Checklist
H-4 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Supplemental Memo 2025
I Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, Appendix A and B1, Appendix B2, Appendix C
J-1 Noise Analyisis Report
J-2 Construction Traffic Noise Memo
K-1 Transportation Impact Assessment, Appendices
K-2 Traffic Water Truck Memo
L Fire Protection Plan
M Agricultural Resources Review Memo
N Mineral Resources Report
O-1 Preliminary BESS Fire Risk Assessment and Heat Flux Analysis
O-2 Preliminary BESS Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
O-3 Preliminary Balance of Plant Fire Risk Assessment
O-4 Preliminary Balance of Plant Failure Mode and Effects Analysis
O-5 Preliminary Balance of Plant Hazard Mitigation Analysis, Attachment 1 A, Attachment 1 B
O-6 Preliminary First Responders Guide
P Draft Fire Services Agreement
...

NOTICE OF PREPARATION
PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD (March 23, 2023 - April 24, 2023)

...

PDS2022-MUP-22-010; LOG NO. PDS2022-ER-22-21-002

The Project includes a Major Use Permit (PDS2022-MUP-22-010) for the development of a utility-scale solar generation and battery energy storage facility.

The Starlight Solar Project (Project) consists of a Major Use Permit on approximately 588 acres in southeastern unincorporated San Diego County. The Project includes photovoltaic solar arrays capable of generating up to 100 megawatts (MW) of alternating current (AC) electricity and a 217.4 MW battery energy storage system (BESS), constructed in two phases. Supporting infrastructure includes inverters, transformers, an on-site collector substation, and a generation-tie (gen-tie) line connecting to the SDG&E Boulevard Substation. The gen-tie line would be mostly underground with one overhead crossing of Tule Jim Lane. The Project also includes an off-site biological open space easement on approximately 448 acres to protect sensitive vegetation communities, special-status species, and habitat. Photovoltaic (PV) modules would be mounted on single-axis trackers or fixed-tilt structures with a maximum height of 12 feet. Zoning Use Regulations for the site is General Rural (S92). The General Plan Designation for the site is Rural Lands (RL-80), and the General Plan Regional Category is Rural. The Project is located south of the community of Boulevard, east of Tierra Del Sol Road. Access to the site would be provided by Jewel Valley Road, with secondary emergency access via Tule Jim Lane.

In-person Scoping Meeting Information:

Consistent with Section 21083.9 of the CEQA Statutes, a public scoping meeting was held to solicit comments on the NOP. This meeting was held on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. at the Backcountry Resource Center located at 39919 Ribbonwood Road. Participation instructions and the powerpoint slides presented at the meeting are at the links below:

NOP Scoping Meeting Powerpoint Slides

Please direct any questions or formal comments to the project contact below.

PUBLIC REVIEW PERIOD (March 23, 2023 - April 24, 2023)

Notice of Preparation and Initial Study

Notice of Preparation Legal Ad

ADA Compliance

These Documents are provided for reference only and any posted before 4/24/27 may not meet current ADA accessibility standards. If you need this information in an accessible format, please contact us at PDSZoningPermitCounter@sdcounty.ca.gov