County publishes guide for reviewing OPALCO’s proposed solar project on Decatur Island

Members of the public interested in engaging in the County’s review of OPALCO’s project can use this guide.

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

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:  

• A brief overview of OPALCO’s proposed project
• How San Juan County’s permit review process works
• A summary of information and links to important resources and contact information

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 16^th, 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. 

• Public Comment Period: The public comment period for the CUP, is from 1/28/2026 – 2/25/2026 and may be continued by the HEX at the hearing. Any member of the public is welcome to provide a written comment to DCD about the project.
  1. Public comments received prior to 2/11/2026, will be addressed in a staff report to the HEX. Any public comments submitted after 2/11/2026 up until the hearing examiner meeting (during which the public may still provide comment) will be included for the record at the time of the meeting.
• SJCC 18.80.140 requires that appeals of HEX decisions must be filed within 21 days of the publication of the appealed decision.  
• SEPA Comment Period: ‘SEPA’ stands for State Environmental Protection Act and this regulation has a specific comment period, 1/28/26 to 2/11/26 and appeal process depending on the SEPA threshold determination for the project. SEPA review for the project has been ongoing since the application was initially deemed complete. The threshold determination was published in the newspaper and Washington State SEPA Register on 1/28/26. The determination letter will have the specifics concerning SEPA comment period and SEPA appeal process
• Public Hearing Examiner Meeting: After DCD staff and the applicant provide their testimony for the record, members of the public will have an opportunity to present public testimony (written or verbal) about the proposed project. The HEX will hold a hearing on this application on February 25, 2026.
• The meeting will be available in person and streamed online.
  1. Rules for conduct during a hearing examiner meeting are outlined in SJCC 2.22.200-2.22.240. 

Summary of Important Information and Resources 

• Project Overview
  1. Short Title: OPALCO Solar photovoltaic commercial power generation facility on Decatur Island
• Permit file number: LANDUSE-25-0091
  1. Applicant: Orcas Power and Light Cooperative (OPALCO)
• Location: TPN: 152232005000 and 152232002000
• Important Project Documents
  1. Link to LANDUSE-25-0091 Documentation: San Juan County Public Portal 
• Important Dates of Note
  • Written public comments due by: 1/28/26 to 2/25/26. Comments submitted after February 11th will be accepted and presented at the hearing examiner meeting up until the date of the hearing examiner meeting. The HEX may continue the hearing and public comment period 
  • SEPA comments due by: SEPA Determination of Non-significance (DNS) was issued 1/28/26 with comments due by 2/11/26. The SEPA DNS was posted in the appropriate newspapers and on the SEPA Register.  
  • Proposed Hearing Examiner date: 2/25/26: If there is any change in the date it shall be posted in the appropriate newspapers. Hearing Examiner agendas (which include links to live web-streaming) may be viewed via the online Agenda Center when published 
• Public Comment Contact Information
  1. Email:
     • DCD@sanjuancountywa.gov 
  2. Letter:  
     • San Juan County RE: LANDUSE-25-0091 OPALCO Solar Project
       Community Development 
       P.O. Box 947 
       Friday Harbor, WA 98250

About San Juan County’s Department of Community Development  

San Juan County’s Department of Community Development is responsible for building permits and inspections, code enforcement, land use current planning, long range planning, and more. The department’s main office is located at 135 Rhone Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Community Development, visit https://sanjuancountywa.gov/2171/Community-Development.