By JIM BUTLER
A Texas firm seeks Corps of Engineers approval for a 10,000-acre solar array project in the Calcasieu River watershed south and west of Hineston.
Treaty Oak Clean Energy of Austin has two solar projects underway in Louisiana, in Morehouse and Sabine Parishes, with projected investment of $810 million.
The firm is a company in the portfolio of Macquarie Asset Management, immediate past owner of Cleco.
Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District lists the project address as 2307 LA 122, Hineston, which locates its entry point as near Rush Funeral Home in that community.
Corps preliminary study finds no impact on jurisdictional wetlands and minimum impact on the Louisiana pine snake and the Northern long-eared bat.
A Clean Water Act permit is required due to impact on waters associated with the Calcasieu.
There are three parts to the proposal: Phase 1, about 4,600 acres of solar array and substation; Phase 2, about 5,700 aces of solar array; Phase 3, nine-mile generation interconnect aerial utility line – all to provide renewable energy.
A period for public comment closes August 2. The permit application number is MVN-2026-00184-WLL.
According to Corps notice, comment may be directed to michael.h.herrmann@usace.army.
More information is available at the Corps website.