BREI
Butte Renewable Energy Inc.
The Project
Scalable renewable generation and microgrid infrastructure for Oroville's industrial growth.
Overview
BREI is developing a phased renewable energy system supporting the future Oro Verde municipal utility. Generation capacity expands only as local demand grows, ensuring disciplined investment and long-term affordability for Oroville ratepayers.
PHASE 1 CAPACITY
~16 MW
Solar Expansion
~37 MW
SOLAR SITES
3 Locations
TOTAL ACREAGE
~116 Acres
PRIMARY MARKET
Industrial Loads
STATUS
Phase 1 Active
Phase 1: S 7th Ave Solar Site (2027)
Phase 1 delivers BREI's initial generating capacity from the S 7th Ave site, establishing the operational and regulatory framework for expansion.
Phase 1 Generation
Phase 1 Planning & Permitting
S 7th Ave Solar Site
Oroville
~16 MW
~50 acres
Ground-mounted fixed PV panels supplying low-cost daytime energy. No additional solar, storage, or dispatchable resources required in Year 1.
Phase 2+ Expansion (Demand-Led)
As demand increases, BREI will expand generation sequentially. No phase proceeds without identifiable demand.
PHASE 2
Baggett Marysville Rd Site A
Oroville
~17 MW
~67 acres
These parcels are governed by a Land Use Covenant under USEPA/DTSC oversight. Solar development is permitted within the approved land use restrictions.
PHASE 2
Baggett Marysville Rd Site B
Oroville
~4 MW
~16 acres
These parcels are governed by a Land Use Covenant under USEPA/DTSC oversight. Solar development is permitted within the approved land use restrictions.
Dispatchable & Firm Resources
To ensure reliable service beyond solar production hours, BREI plans to add dispatchable resources including biomass generation and flexible peak generation.
PLANNED
Central Oroville Biomass Plant
10 MW initially, expandable. Processes forest residues that would otherwise contribute to wildfire fuel loads. Modern emission controls with BCAQMD permitting. Provides firm baseload generation independent of weather.
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AS NEEDED
Energy Storage
Utility-scale battery storage to shift solar output into peak periods, reduce peaker dispatch, and enhance system flexibility. Deployed based on grid needs and economics.
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Implementation Discipline
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No phase proceeds without identifiable demand.
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Optional projects are ring-fenced from core operations.
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No phase proceeds without identifiable demand.
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Optional projects are ring-fenced from core operations.
Project Roadmap
Demand-led phasing. No phase proceeds without identifiable load.
Conclusion
The BREI Oroville project represents a long-term redevelopment of a former biomass site into a multi-phase renewable energy campus combining solar, biomass, storage, and future fuels production.
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As of 2026, the project remains in planning and regulatory preparation, with the solar phase expected to lead initial construction once approvals and financing are finalized.
Environmental Approach
BREI is committed to responsible development. Renewable energy development involves tradeoffs—we're committed to honest assessment of impacts and meaningful mitigation, not greenwashing.
BREI will use forest residues from wildfire mitigation and forest management operations as fuel for the biomass facility. This approach:
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reduces hazardous forest fuel loads
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supports forest thinning programs
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converts waste biomass into renewable energy.
BREI intends to convert biomass emissions into useful products through carbon utilization technologies, including:
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carbon capture
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hydrogen production
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e-methanol synthesis.
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BREI will implement a sustainable feedstock procurement strategy:
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long-term agreements with regional forestry operations
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use of waste residues rather than harvested timber
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strict fuel quality specifications.
BREI intends to maintain transparency through:
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public project updates
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environmental reporting
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collaboration with local stakeholders.
The BREI biomass facility will incorporate Best Available Technology (BAT) emissions controls, including:
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Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) for NOx removal
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lime injection for acid gas control
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ceramic filtration for particulate removal
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continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS).
The BREI energy campus integrates multiple renewable technologies:
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solar PV generation
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battery energy storage
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biomass baseload generation
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microgrid infrastructure.
The project redevelops the former Pacific Oroville Power biomass facility site, a legacy industrial location.
Redeveloping existing industrial land:
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reduces greenfield development
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reuses existing infrastructure
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limits environmental disturbance.
BREI conducted independent environmental due diligence as part of the redevelopment of the former Pacific Oroville Power site. This included soil sampling and laboratory analysis for dioxins and furans.The study concluded that no additional investigation or remediation was required for redevelopment of the site.