Good afternoon,

I obviously support the regulation amendments in my previously submitted petition.  I will try to reinforce my December submission while also bringing forward other concerns. 

Caden Energix and other solar companies have been taking advantage of the system and abusing the requirements that DEQ has had in place. Stricter regulations with more specific steps and clear-cut timelines are needed. 

I am a local property owner of the proposed location of Energix Endless Caverns North and South. I have had many pressing questions during this entire process. While some have been answered, the company has avoided answering many other questions and has even lied to me in response to some of my inquiries (for example- on First Solar’s recycling program). They told our local Board of Supervisors lies in order to get them to approve the Special Use Permit (for example- the lie that there was no graveyard on the property) and then conveniently admitted the truth after the Board's approval. 

I am GRAVELY concerned with Smith Creek which runs adjacent to the property for many environmental reasons such as runoff, water quality, issues this could disturb the wildlife in the stream, and otherwise. It has been stated that there are no caves within several miles of the proposed site; while we have documentation of bats in the adjacent Endless Caverns property from earlier this year.

Energix, and perhaps other solar companies, has gone to great lengths and numerous lies in order to deceitfully get their industrial solar installed on A1 agriculture-zoned land. This has to stop before we no longer have the land, agriculture, wildlife, and other resources around. We can not allow negligence on the part of responsible policymakers for issues that we didn’t take the time or ability to consider more carefully.

I am sure I will be in contact with other concerns, but another area that hasn't been mentioned greatly is the soil disturbances and Energix's lack of a soil conservation plan. I think these are all issues that DEQ need to address as they include additional regulations such as amendments that I have recommended. 

I call upon DEQ not to issue a PBR to Energix Renewable Energies for its Endless Caverns North Project and Endless Caverns South Project.  The Energix PBR is an example of “fruit of the poison tree” that should only lead to a cancellation of this and any future related Endless Caverns permits submitted to DEQ.