Butte Renewable Energy Inc. (BREI) continues to advance its clean energy and economic development initiative in partnership with the City of Oroville, achieving several important milestones in early April.

Following a recent project coordination meeting, the City of Oroville confirmed it is moving forward with an independent, third‑party financial feasibility review to evaluate the structure and costs associated with a potential municipal public utility model serving local industrial customers. The review will be conducted by New Gen Strategies, a nationally recognized firm specializing in public power and utility finance. The study is intended to provide a clear, objective assessment to support informed decision‑making by City leadership and the community.

At the same time, progress has been reported on the project’s electrical interconnection, one of the most critical schedule drivers for large‑scale energy infrastructure projects. After escalation within PG&E, the required interconnection study has been moved forward in the utility’s review queue, with completion expected in the near term. This step is essential for confirming how locally generated power can be safely and reliably connected to the grid.

The project has also reached a strong position on permitting readiness. The required permits are technically complete and ready for issuance, pending payment of standard permit fees. This positions the project to move efficiently into construction once financing and final approvals are secured.

As part of ongoing planning, the BREI team and City staff are also coordinating on the timing of federal clean‑energy tax credits, including strategies to clearly document the start of construction when appropriate. This work is focused on ensuring compliance with federal requirements while maintaining transparency and fiscal responsibility.

“Taken together, these steps represent real forward movement,” said a BREI project representative. “Independent analysis, interconnection progress, and permit readiness are exactly the kinds of fundamentals that need to be in place for a project of this scale to move responsibly from planning toward execution.”

BREI will continue to work closely with City officials, technical partners, and the community as the independent feasibility review progresses and additional project milestones are reached. Updates will be shared as new information becomes available.

An independent environmental assessment evaluating dioxins and furans at the former POPI site has been completed. The investigation included soil sampling in areas historically associated with ash storage and other former industrial activities. The assessment determined that while some samples showed concentrations above screening levels used for initial site evaluation, all observed values were within or below the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) commercial and industrial soil remediation goals, and no additional investigation was recommended. This study represents an important step in the ongoing environmental due diligence process for the BREI project site.