Amador County - The Board of Supervisors heard a presentation Tuesday asking them to submit additional appropriations requests in preparation of two federal grants for the Sutter Hill Transit Center. The item also asked for approval to continue working with Federal Lobbyist David French in order to obtain the requested funding. Amador County Transportation Commission Director Charles Field and Matt Boyer of Dokken Engineering outlining proposed plans to widen the street on Valley View Way and add solar shade structures, or a “solar farm”, over the Park and Ride facility. Field said he believes grant funding will be able to cover all three phases of the Sutter Hill project. The total projected cost of the Valley View Way widening is approximately $2.5 million, which includes adding bicycle paths, a neighborhood electric vehicle lane, a center turn lane and median landscaping. The Solar Farm project involves construction of a solar energy collection and distribution system, including connections to supply power to off-site public agency facilities. That cost estimate is just over $2.9 million. “We’re lucky to have funds to construct solar systems,” said Boyer. Supervisor inquiries centered on ways revenue can be generated off of the site and power collected for other public buildings in the vicinity. Boyer said capture technology is getting better all the time and recent laws are moving towards making public facilities able to share excess power. When asked how likely there would be excess power generated, Boyer said “very likely.” He said solar panels and collection devices are big ticket items, but when you break it down they are “almost disappointing in terms of simplicity.” The Board approved the motion unanimously. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.