File photo
File photo
Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Houston City Council have approved the largest brownfield solar project in the country.
According to a press release from the Mayor’s Office, the City Council has unanimously approved a lease agreement with Sunnyside Energy, LLC to advance the Sunnyside Solar Project. The $70 million project aims to convert the Sunnyside 240-acre closed landfill into the largest brownfield solar installation in the nation, creating enough renewable energy to power 5,000 homes and offset 120 million pounds of CO2 each year – at no cost to the City.
“The Sunnyside landfill has been one of Houston's biggest community challenges for decades, and I am proud we are one step closer to its transformation," Turner said. "I thank the Sunnyside community because this project would not have come together without its support. This project is an example of how cities can work with the community to address long-standing environmental justice concerns holistically, create green jobs and generate renewable energy in the process.”
Under the terms of the lease, the city will retain ownership of the land and Sunnyside will be responsible for the permitting, construction, operation and maintenance of the project. Sunnyside is working to secure all necessary permits, finalize financing and design plans to ensure the project is compliant with environmental safety standards before construction.
The project will advance the City's Climate Action Plan and Complete Communities Initiative of addressing environmental justice concerns, climate change and economic development in underserved communities.
"We applaud the actions of Mayor Turner and the City Council in taking this significant step," Dori Wolfe, managing director of Sunnyside Energy LLC said. “It is a strong vote of confidence for this impactful project. All members of the project team realize that this Sunnyside Solar facility will be an iconic statement in the rejuvenation of the community. We are grateful that Mayor Turner has given us his support."
The solar array is projected to be operational by the end of 2022.
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