Power for the People: Making Clean Energy Work for West Fresno

In the heart of California’s Central Valley, a new kind of energy movement is taking shape.

It’s bold. It’s ambitious. And if done right, it could bring long-overdue investment to communities that have waited generations for clean air, good jobs, and healthier neighborhoods.

The Valley Clean Infrastructure Plan (VCIP) – home to the Darden Clean Energy Project – is one of the largest renewable energy efforts every proposed in our region. In fact, it is one of the largest renewable energy projects anywhere in the world.

Designed to convert thousands of acres of fallowed farmland in West Fresno County into solar farms, battery storage facilities, and transmission lines, it’s being billed as a way to power California’s future while transforming the local economy.

But as with any major development, the details matter.

A Big Vision with Big Questions

The Darden project has the potential to put Fresno County on the map as a clean energy leader. With historic droughts and water shortages leaving large portions of farmland unworkable, repurposing that land for solar energy could help the region pivot toward renewable energy innovation.

The California Energy Commission has already approved components of the project, calling it a “critical step” in meeting the state’s clean energy goals. As reported by The Fresno Bee, the Darden project would be the largest solar energy installation in California, capable of powering hundreds of thousands of homes.

On paper, it sounds like a win for sustainability. But residents have been asking the important questions:

• How will this project impact local jobs and small businesses?
• Will residents reap the benefits of affordable energy, or will profits leave the region?
• What will happen to the land and nearby communities?
• Who will bear the burden of construction traffic, noise, and infrastructure changes?

These are not small concerns. They must be addressed before a project of this magnitude can begin. Most recently, Fresno County fire officials met with Darden “to ensure safety measures are in place before the facility goes online.”

Community Benefits Agreement

At Fresno BHC, we believe that clean energy must also be fair energy. Every community, especially those that have historically carried the weight of pollution and disinvestment, deserves a meaningful voice in shaping what comes next.

That’s why our team has been supporting efforts led by Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, Central California Environmental Justice Network and residents, advocating for the creation of a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) tied to the Darden project. This agreement ensures that the residents who are most impacted by the installation will be involved in the process from start to finish.

Quick background:

A CBA is a legally binding document negotiated between developers and the community. It spells out commitments including:

• Local hiring and job training opportunities
• Environmental safeguards for air, land, and water
• Community investment funds for schools, parks, health services, etc.
• Ongoing accountability and transparency through regular reporting

In 2024, the CBA was officially approved – a major victory for West Fresno residents who fought to ensure their needs would be part of the clean energy conversation.

As the plan moves forward, community meetings are underway to finalize priorities and define how those benefits will reach local families.