SAN JUAN COUNTY PRESS RELEASE – San Juan County’s Department of Community Development (DCD) received an application from Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) for a conditional use permit (CUP) for a commercial power generation facility on a parcel on Decatur Island. CUPs are a regulated process governed by the County Code and are subject to public comments and quasi-judicial review by a Hearing Examiner (a person contracted by the County to make land use decisions and hear appeals). DCD will review the application and prepare a report for the County Hearing Examiner who will convene a public hearing and make the final decision on the project application based on the County Code. Members of the public interested in engaging in the County’s review of OPALCO’s project can use this guide to find:
What is the project? OPALCO proposes to expand an existing solar photovoltaic (P V) power generation facility on Decatur Island, San Juan County, Washington. The proposal involves installation of additional ground-mounted solar arrays and associated electrical infrastructure on OPALCO-owned property located on Tax Parcel No. 152232005000 and Tax Parcel No. 152232002000 (existing solar array). The parcel is currently designated Rural General Use (RGU) on the San Juan County Comprehensive Plan maps. OPALCO has provided documentation to the County including project narrative and site plans, SEPA checklist, critical area and cultural resources documentation, stormwater report, clearing and grading application, landscape plans and responses to staff inquiries (through February 11, 2026). All of which are available to the public. Additional information may be required during the permit review process and will also be available to the public. Why has OPALCO applied for a conditional use permit for this project? Why can the public comment on it? The project is a CUP for a commercial power-generation facility on parcels designated Rural General Use (RGU) on Decatur Island. OPALCO completed its application on December 16th, 2025. The DCD reviews CUPs and prepares a staff report for the Hearing Examiner (HEX) who convenes a public hearing to review and take testimony on the project. The HEX takes all testimony into consideration in their review and ruling on the project. How can the public submit comments on OPALCO’s conditional use permit? The public has several opportunities to comment on the project. Contact information for submitting comments is specified at the bottom of this page.
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