Central Valley Photovoltaic (PV) and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Environmental Documents

Map of proposed PV/BESS locations. Click for a larger image.

The proposed Central Valley PV/BESS Project would allow the Authority to operate the HSR Initial Operating Segment on renewable energy through solar generation and battery storage on Authority-owned property. The PV would produce the electrical energy to power the system while the BESS would reduce peak-demand during normal train operations and provide electrical energy backup in the event of an outage. Staff are currently evaluating potential sites and seeking public input on the scope of the environmental document.

PV/BESS Scoping Presentation

PROJECT DETAILS

What's New

The Authority is in the process of preparing an environmental document for building, operating, and maintaining a Photovoltaic and Battery Energy Storage System (PV/BESS) Project in Merced, Fresno, Kings, and Kern Counties for the California High-Speed Rail System.

The Merced to Fresno Project Section EIR/EIS (2012) and the Fresno to Bakersfield Project Section EIR/EIS (2014) previously evaluated and approved construction, operation, and maintenance of traction power substations (TPSS) along the Central Valley alignment to provide power for the high-speed rail system.

The proposed PV/BESS Project will connect to the associated TPSS sites and be located adjacent to the HSR alignment within 2 to 11 miles from each TPSS.

The Authority received public comments on the scope of the Central Valley PV/BESS Project EIR/EIS from February 19, 2025, and April 8, 2025. Comments submitted during this period will be considered in the development of the Draft EIR/EIS. During the public comment period, the Authority held public scoping meetings in Fresno, Wasco, and Hanford to provide information on the PV/BESS Project and receive comments.

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Environmental Review

The Authority has issued a Notice of Preparation (NOP) to solicit public and agency input into the development of the scope of an environmental impact report (EIR) for the Central Valley PV/BESS Project and to advise the public that the Authority will consider public and agency input it receives in the preparation of the environmental document.

The Authority also intends to issue a Notice of Intent (NOI) for initiating public scoping under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and needed for preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Ultimately, the Authority intends to publish a joint EIR/EIS document.

This project level EIR/EIS will describe site-specific environmental impacts, will identify specific mitigation measures to address those impacts, and will incorporate design practices to avoid and minimize potential adverse environmental impacts. The Authority will assess the site characteristics, size, nature, and timing of proposed site-specific projects to determine whether impacts can be avoided or mitigated. The EIR/EIS will identify and evaluate the impacts from construction, operation, and maintenance of the Central Valley PV/BESS Project.

Documents & Reports

Contact Information

Comments may be sent by the below phone number or email address.

(559) 425-4438
pv-bess@hsr.ca.gov

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