LETTER TO THE EDITOR
We are writing to express our concern and opposition to the City of William’s plan to sell 46-acre feet of water (almost 15 million gallons) to the proposed Janus Solar LLC, an out of area development company. This LLC is seeking approval to build a solar industrial plant outside of the City of Williams, for the sole purpose of selling energy to southern California. Should Colusa County approve this project on February 13, 2024, the residents, and the environment, could suffer from this project and water sale.
Selling water to an out of area company will reduce the availability and affordability of water for the local community and increase the risk of water shortages when we experience another drought. Our water concern was downplayed by the Williams City Council when questioned at the Jan. 17, 2024, City Council meeting.
The LLC’s proposed project may take 11 months to install 196,000 solar panels in the foothills of Williams, CA. According to page 3 of the 1/9-2023 Economic Analysis, the construction may shift resources from other county projects, rather than hire local temporary workers. The LLC originally promised annual payments to Williams Fire and Arbuckle Parks & Recs departments. The Final Environmental Impact Report (page 3-14 and 3-15) reduced those amounts.
If you are concerned about this development, or the city’s plan to sell almost 15 million gallons of water to an out of area LLC, please attend the Colusa County meeting at the Colusa County Courthouse at 546 Jay Street, Suite 108, Colusa, on February 13, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. or encourage your Supervisor to vote against the Janus Solar LLC project. Contact the Board of Supervisors before February 12, 2024 at (530) 458-0508 or Chief Board Clerk, Ann Nordyke at boardclerk@countyofcolusa.org .
Stephen and Karan Marsh
Williams