Rancho Viejo (AES) Solar Facility

Proposed location: Highway 14 North of the Rancho San Marcos Neighborhood
Parcel Number: 910008950
One mile off State Highway 14 (NM-14), with access from HWY 14, 1000′ from Eldorado and 1000′ From Rancho San Marcos. Entrance near the Turquoise Trail Elementary School.

size: Approximately 828 acres

Website: https://www.aes.com/rancho-viejo-solar

Santa Fe County – Growth Management: Large Scale Renewable Energy Projects Page

Visit the page link above if you would like to review the AES Rancho Viejo Solar Project Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application, see important dates for hearings and public meetings.

Public Meetings and Hearings (dates subject to change without notice):

**Public Q&A re. Hazard Mitigation Assessment and Emergency Response Plan
October 22, 2024 4pm

**Public Q&A re. Other Code Compliance Issues – November 6, 2024 4pm

Public Hearing with SLDC Hearing Officer – December 4, 2024 9:30 am

Planning Commission – February 5, 2024 4pm

**Virtual Meetings – Link to be provided in final notice

SMA STATEMENT

The San Marcos Association, consistent with our Mission to serve as a trusted resource, sharing information, and influencing policy, has been closely listening to the outpouring of community concerns regarding the Rancho Viejo AES Solar project. We have heard from various community groups, invited a specific presentation by AES to the SMA Board of Directors, and conducted our own due diligence given the information provided to the County in the initial AES CUP submission. SMA has also reviewed materials researched and presented by concerned County residents.

SMA has been taking action; writing two letters to the County Commissioners and staff specifically outlining our views of this and similar projects in relation to the Sustainable Land Development Code. We stand by our statements but are willing to review them when we have access to the details of AES’ updated submission which was expected in July.

These letters and the County’s responses can be found below and on our main solar energy page: https://thesanmarcosassociation.org/solar-power-santa-fe-county/

The San Marcos Association fully supports the use of alternative, renewable energy. But, it is important that this, or any other project at this scale, provides a net benefit to Santa Fe County, and that it is developed in a way that ensures the safety and well-being of all its residents.

SMA awaits AES’ updated proposal and will send out hearing dates for the next County meeting when they are published. We will also independently examine and analyze the updated application.