Application received for Vaca Dixon Power Center Project certification by CEC.

NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF AN OPT-IN CERTIFICATION APPLICATION FOR VACA DIXON POWER CENTER PROJECT On January 14, 2026, the California Energy Commission (CEC) received an application from Vaca Dixon BESS LLC and Arges BESS LLC (applicant), for certification from the CEC to construct and operate the Vaca Dixon Power Center Project (project). The project would be located on an approximately 10-acre site (Assessor's Parcel Number [APN] 0133-060-060) within the City of Vacaville in Solano County, California. This notice of receipt of the application is published pursuant to Public Resources Code, sections 25519, subdivision (g) and 25545.8. Project Description The project would include two battery energy storage system (BESS) facilities; the Vaca Dixon BESS (57 megawatts [MW], 57 megawatt-hours [MWh]), and the Arges BESS (100 MW, 400 MWh), along with associated switchyard facilities, access roads, stormwater infrastructure, fencing, and control enclosures. The Vaca Dixon 57 MWh BESS would connect via a new 13.8-kilovolt (kV) overhead line to the existing 13.8/115 kV generator step-up transformer at the adjacent CalPeak Power Vaca Dixon Peaker Plant (VDPP), which is already tied to the adjacent Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) Vaca-Dixon Substation located north of Interstate-80 (I-80). The Arges BESS 400 MWh BESS would connect to the PG&E substation through a new approximately 2,350-foot 115 kV overhead transmission intertie (gen-tie) line. For approximately 1,500 feet, the 13.8 kV and 115 kV gen-tie circuits would be co-located on shared steel monopole structures to cross I-80 and reach the PG&E substation parcel (APN 0133-060-070). The remaining span would connect the Vaca Dixon BESS to the VDPP transformer and the Arges BESS to the PG&E Vaca-Dixon Substation. The project would operate 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, for a 35-year anticipated lifespan, with remote control via supervisory control and data acquisition system. Following construction, the project would be staffed by one to three technicians performing periodic maintenance and inspections. The Project Description (TN 268145) section of the application can be accessed directly at the following: https://efiling.energy.ca.gov/GetDocument.aspx?tn=268145&DocumentContentId=105161. CEC Jurisdiction and Opt-In Certification Program Pursuant to state law, the CEC has established a certification program for eligible clean and renewable energy facilities to optionally seek certification from the CEC. (See Pub. Resources Code, �� 25545-25545.13; Cal. Code Regs., tit. 20, �� 1875-1882.) Under the Opt-In Certification Program, among the types of facilities the CEC can certify are energy storage facilities of 200 megawatt-hours (MWh) or more and the electric transmission lines from these facilities to a point of junction with any interconnected electrical transmission system. The CEC is the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act and is required to prepare an environmental impact report (EIR), mitigated negative declaration, or negative declaration as part of its Staff Assessment for any facility that elects to opt-in to the CEC's jurisdiction. For this project, the CEC will be preparing an EIR. With exceptions, the issuance of a certificate by the CEC for an eligible facility is in lieu of any permit, certificate, or similar document required by any state, local, or regional agency for the use of the site and related facilities, and supersedes any applicable statute, ordinance, or regulation of any state, local, or regional agency. The CEC is required to make its decision on whether to certify the project within 270 days of receiving a complete application. The CEC is required to consult with all responsible and trustee agencies on the scope and content of the EIR. The CEC staff has begun its review of the application, which has not been deemed complete at this time, and transmitted the application to responsible and trustee agencies. Once the application is deemed complete, the CEC staff will evaluate the proposed project, consult with California Native American tribes, and host public meetings in the project area. This will include an informational and public scoping meeting during the development of the EIR, as well as a public meeting during the 60-day comment period on the Staff Assessment and Draft EIR. After the conclusion of the public comment period, the CEC staff will publish an updated Staff Assessment (which will include a Final EIR), and the CEC Executive Director's recommendation on whether the CEC should certify the EIR and issue a certificate for construction and operation of the proposed project. The updated Staff Assessment and Executive Director's recommendation will be published at least 30 days before the CEC's consideration at a public meeting. At the final public meeting, the CEC will formally decide whether to certify the EIR and grant a certification for construction and operation of the proposed project. Should the certification be granted, other agencies that retain their permitting authorities must take final action on any additional permits within 90 days of the CEC issuing a certificate. Public Participation The CEC welcomes public participation in the Opt-In review process. A copy of the Opt-In application as well as other project information, can be found on the CEC website at: https://www.energy.ca.gov/powerplant/battery-storage-system/vaca-dixon-power-center-project. To stay informed about this project and receive notice of upcoming meetings and workshops, sign up to the project's email subscription, which can be accessed on the same project webpage. Once enrolled, automatic email notifications are sent when documents and notices are posted to the project webpage. This notice will be the only general public notification of this project that will appear in this publication. If you want to stay informed or participate in the project review and decision-making process, please visit the web page linked above to subscribe for free email notifications from the CEC or contact the Public Advisor's Office (see contact info below). Information about the Opt-In Certification Program can be found on the CEC website at: https://www.energy.ca.gov/programs-and-topics/topics/power-plants/opt-certification-program. For questions about the project, please contact Renee Longman, project manager, by email at renee.longman@energy.ca.gov. The CEC's Office of the Public Advisor, Energy Equity, and Tribal Affairs is available to provide information on, and assistance with, public participation in CEC proceedings. The Public Advisor's Office can be reached by phone at (916) 957-7910 and by email at publicadvisor@energy.ca.gov. Media questions should be directed to the CEC's Media Office by phone at (916) 654-4989 or by email at mediaoffice@energy.ca.gov