San Diego County and developer sued over solar project in Boulevard

San Diego County and developers of a solar and battery storage project in East County are facing a lawsuit alleging the project's environmental review was insufficient.

The suit was filed in San Diego Superior Court last week. It focuses on the Starlight Solar project near the town of Boulevard. The county Board of Supervisors approved a major use permit for the development for last month.

The 588-acre project, which includes a solar farm and a 868 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system, has faced community pushback.

The suit, filed Oct. 15 by a group calling itself the Back Country Community Alliance for Responsible Development, was brought under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

This is CEQA action brought under the California Environmental Quality Act. And what we're alleging is that the Environmental Impact Report that was prepared and certified by the county was inadequate,” said Jamie Hall, the group’s attorney.