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Caden Energix Hickory, LLC in Chesapeake, VA is the
US subsidiary of Energix, an Israeli company owned by Alony Hetz. Both
Energix and Aloney Hetz do business in Israeli-occupied territories.
Plans to build $500
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Documents
The Caden Energix Hickory, LLC solar company plans to build and
operate a 32 Megawatt power generating facility within the jurisdiction
of the city of Chesapeake, Virginia.
It is part of parent company Energix's plans to build half a
billion dollars worth of solar energy farms across the state. Sites
where preliminary permitting work has already occurred include Axton (66
MW) Gladys (60 MW), Jarrat (82.5 MW) and Wytheville (20 MW).
In its 2018 annual report, the
Virginia
Israel Advisory Board, a state agency which functions as a taxpayer
funded
export promotion board for Israel, announced it was
supporting the
project:
"Project Turbine – A multi-billion dollar Israeli real estate and
renewable energy concern with significant properties in D.C. and
Northern Virginia is developing several solar energy sites in Virginia
to produce electricity. Expanding renewable energy capacity is a
requirement of major data centers to locate in Virginia."
VIAB may have been referring to Energix's massive wind turbines,
generating 155 MW, developed in 2015 within the Israeli occupied Syrian
Golan Heights. Unfortunately, they used "questionable methods in
obtaining access to the land from its indigenous Syrian-Druze owners,
and in violation of international law."
Energix also owns and operates the 5 MW capacity "Meitarim Solar
Field" in the Israeli occupied Jordan Valley on 98,749 square meters of
Palestinian land. Palestinian villages in the surrounding Mount Hebron
area have been "suffering from forcible displacement, demolitions, lack
of basic services and overall economic strangulation." Many Palestinians
cannot buy electricity nor are they allowed to own or operate solar for
their own use. Those that try, often see them confiscated and destroyed.
Alony-Hetz
holds a controlling share and 61.9 percent stake in Energix. It also has
a 58.22 percent stake in Amot Investments Ltd., an Israeli real
estate firm that owns Amot Ariel, an industrial building in the Ariel
West Industrial Zone, in the illegal settlement of Ariel in the occupied
Palestinian West Bank.
A legal analysis of Energix and other solar
energy developer and operators, finds that "Article 55 of the Hague
Regulations prohibits Israel as an occupying power from appropriating
land for economic exploitation. International humanitarian law
rules of usufruct also prohibit using the land for such commercial and
industrial purposes. The Hague Regulations and Fourth Geneva Convention
prohibit settlements under occupation and consider them to be war
crimes. "Israeli solar fields in the West Bank establish facts on the
ground and for a final part of the Israeli industrialization of the OPT
[occupied territories]. By taking up massive swaths of occupied land and
contributing to the expansion of settlements, those commercial solar
fields facilitate and strengthen the expansion of settlements, those
commercial solar fields facilitate and strengthen the settlement
enterprise as a whole."
In its otherwise stringent permitting and due
diligence process for the site, the City of Chesapeake has never once
solicited information about, or contemplated the moral hazard involved
in allowing a foreign company so deeply tied to human rights violations
overseas, do business in Chesapeake.
This lack of due diligence into the corporate
culture and ultimate beneficial owners could produce negative outcomes
for the city. It has already happened. Greensville County, after
providing numerous taxpayer subsidies to another VIAB project,
Oran Safety
Glass, is now saddled with an Israeli military contractor struggling
to obtain government contracts after it repeatedly delivered out-of-spec
armor to the U.S. Army.
Tazewell
County, which invested $1.5 million in yet another VIAB project a
half decade ago (alongside a $10 million Virginia Coalfield Economic
Development Authority loan pledge) has nothing to show for its subsidy.
Except where noted, the files below were released under the Virginia
Freedom of Information Act, 2.2-3704 or obtained from public sources. They are presented as
they were received.
Document Title/
Date |
Source |
Subject |
Database of all business
enterprises involved in the activities detailed in paragraph 96
of the independent international fact-finding mission to
investigate the implications of the Israeli settlements on the
civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the
Palestinian people throughout the Occupied Palestinian
Territory, including East Jerusalem, Feburary 2020 |
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights |
Energix Renewal Energies, Ltd listed as as a Category G company
in occuppied territories. This covers "the use of natural
resources, in particular water and land, for business purposes.
As such, it is considered to include business enterprises that
are physically located on land in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory, in addition to those that benefit commercially from
the use of natural resources located in the Occupied Palestinian
Territory, irrespective of such business enterprises’ physical
presence." |
Greenwashing the Occupation, The Solar Energy Industry and the
Israeli Occupation, January, 2017 |
Who Profits (Backup
copy) |
Arizona based First Solar has supplied 104,000 solar panels for
installation in the Israeli occupied West Bank. (PDF p. 23)
Energix Renewable Energies (controlled by Alony Hetz
Properties and Investments) is the majority owner and operates
the 5 MW capacity "Meitarim Solar Field" in the Israeli occupied
Jordan Valley on 98,749 square meters of Palestinian land.
Palestinian villages in the surrounding Mount Hebron area have
been "suffering from forcible displacement, demolitions, lack of
basic services and overall economic strangulation." Many
Palestinians cannot buy electricity nor are they allowed to own
or operate solar for their own use.
In 2015 Energix
contracted and owns a 155 MW wind turbine facility in the
Israeli occupied Golan Heights.
Article 55 of the Hague
Regulations prohibits Israel as an occupying power from
appropriating land for economic exploitation.
International humanitarian law rules of usufruct also prohibit
using the land for such commercial and industrial purposes. The
Hague Regulations and Fourth Geneva Convention prohibit
settlements under occupation and consider them to be war crimes.
"Israeli solar fields in the West Bank establish facts on the
ground and for a final part of the Israeli industrialization of
the OPT [occupied territories]. By taking up massive swaths of
occupied land and contributing to the expansion of settlements,
those commercial solar fields facilitate and strengthen the
expansion of settlements, those commercial solar fields
facilitate and strengthen the settlement enterprise as a whole." |
Alony-Hetz Properties and Investment Ltd is an Israeli
investment firm. Its subsidiary Energix Renewable Energy has
projects in the occupied West Bank and Golan Heights. Its
subsidiary Amot Investments owns an industrial building in the
occupied West Bank. June 25, 2019 |
American Friends Service Committee (Backup) |
Accountability organization report that "Alony-Hetz also holds a
controlling share and a 58.22 percent stake in Amot Investments
Ltd., an Israeli real estate firm that owns Amot Ariel, an
industrial building in the Ariel West Industrial Zone, in the
illegal settlement of Ariel in the occupied Palestinian West
Bank. That building has been leased to Barkan Mounting Systems."
In the U.S. Alony-Hetz owned a 43.65 percent stake in Carr
Properties, a U.S.-based real estate investment trust (REIT)
that owns properties in the Washington D.C. and Boston areas.
"Alony-Hetz holds a controlling share and 61.9 percent stake
in Energix Renewable Energy Ltd., which owns a commercial solar
farm located in the Meitarim illegal settlement industrial zone
in the occupied Palestinian West Bank. Energix has also
developed a wind energy project in the occupied Syrian Golan
Heights, reportedly using questionable methods in obtaining
access to the land from its indigenous Syrian-Druze owners, and
in violation of international law." |
News report Israel's Energix to buy $120 million of Solar
Panels from First Solar May 16, 2019 |
Reuters (Backup) |
News report that Energix Renewable Energies said it would
purchase $120 million of solar panels from Arizona based First
Solar, paying $5 million down payment followed by a further $60
million in the second half of 2019. Unconfirmed whether that
ever took place.
|
Conditional Use Permit
Application, Filed January 9, 2017, including year 2018
documentation |
City of Chesapeake |
Articles of incorporation, chain of subsidiary corporations from
Energix in Israel to Caden Energix, Newbern Farms LLC (the land
owner) formation documents, Powers of Attorney to Kenneth
Niemann, EIN assignment, Miami Beach office address of related
LLCs Hickory 1 & 2, list of adjacent landowners, site maps. |
Conditional Use Permit and
Cover Letter - February 14, 2018 |
Department of Environmental Quality |
Conditional Use Permit granted to Ken Niemann of North Ridge
Resources, LLC on February 14, 2018 by the City of Chesapeake
with zoning variances. |
Map January, 2017 |
City of Chesapeake |
Timmons Group map of Energix in relation to other proposed solar
sites at Centerville Pike, TWE Chesapeake, half mile scale. |
Conditional Use Permit Application, 2017 |
City of Chesapeake |
New Energy Ventures Hickory Solar Farm application, land owned
by Newbern Farms, LLC, Agent Ken Niemann, North Ridge Resources,
also the developer. |
Permit By Rule materials.
Various dates. |
Department of Environmental Quality |
Permit by Rule (PBR) materials. Application review Committee
of Chesapeake comments on the application. Regulatory history,
permit applications, interconnection study and
agreement with Dominion
Energy Virginia on October 15, 2018. Certification of
maximum generation capacity (32 MW), impact on Air quality and
natural resources, mitigation plan, operation plan, site plan
and context map, certification of application for environmental
permits, public comment
history, payment of $10,000 by North Ridge Resources.(SCC
info,
LLC setup) |
Memorandum,
February 2, 2017 and related documents |
City of Chesapeake |
|
Hickory Solar Farm
Amendments to permit, summary of City Council Action January 15,
2019 |
City of Chesapeake |
Planning commission hearing to change previously granted
conditional use permit. Strikes need to submit a Landscape Plan
prior to construction. Need to install 6-19 foot perimeter
fence, buffer yard, run-off control permit, need for underground
power lines, lower electromagnetic interference solar
panel inverters. Need to give 30 days notice of any change of
ownership, 180 days for cessation/abandonment of use. Emergency
Management Plan. Liability coverage insurance. 120 mph wind
resistance. Solar panel technology requirements. Since
generators is receiving tax exemptions in VA, requirement to pay
$50k to City of Chesapeake Open Space and Agricultural
Preservation Program to be paid prior to receiving Certificate
of Occupancy. Prohibition on herbicide use. Strike need for
150-250 foot setbacks. Fire lane access. Requirement to submit a
Decommissioning Plan. Presentation from manufacturer First
Solar. Opposition from neighbors Joseph Unstrap and Doug
Vanderlip. Measures are approved 9-0. |
Memorandum January
22, 2018 |
City of Chesapeake |
Applicant proposals on providing $50K to City of Chesapeake and
vegetation management without herbicides, evergreen buffer and
fencing height. |
Hickory Solar Farm
Docket Item B, PLN-USE-2017-003 January 23, 2018 |
City of Chesapeake |
Planning Commission recommends construction of commercial
entrance, Landscape Plan, and other changes. Project opposed by
Joseph Tuinstra, Tom Freeman, Wayne Dawn, Russell Meier, Larry
Crum. Carried 8-1. |
Hickory Solar
Farm Amendments to permit, summary of City Council Action
February 23, 2018 |
City of Chesapeake |
List of prior public hearings, approval of changes to permit
requiring $50k payment to City of Chesapeake Open Space and
Agricultural Preservation Program, vegetation management without
herbicide, and changes to security fencing. |
Hickory Solar Farm
Docket Item A, PLN-USE-2017-003 February 13, 2018 |
City of Chesapeake |
Memo about applicant's efforts to promote and preserve
agricultural lands. |
Hickory Solar Farm
Docket Item F, PLN-USE-2017-003 June 20, 2017 |
City of Chesapeake |
Ken Niemann states that the Hickory project will "max out the
substation" so that "additional capacity would be
cost-prohibitive." Rogard Ross and Jeff Staples appear to
approve of solar energy, along with Richard Burroughs, the
property owner. Joseph Tuinstra appears to oppose the plan,
impact on property values, minimal jobs generation, and storm
water problem. Transfer of losses in Fauquier County to
customers. Also Tom Freeman, Wayne Dawn, Russell Meier and Larry
Crum. |
Hickory Solar Farm
Docket Item C, PLN-USE-2017-003 September 19, 2017 |
City of Chesapeake |
Stipulation that the project is located in the Northwest River
Watershed Protection District Prior to any construction plan
approval the applicant must apply for and received a valid Run
Off Control Permit from the Department of Public Utilities.
FINDING that the proposed solar farm facility meets the goals
and policies of the 2035 Comprehensive Plan and Land Use Plan
specifically for alternative energy development, and "realistic,
cost-effective measures that provide "tangible benefits to local
air quality as well as long term quality of life and economic
benefits Increase energy efficiency and use of renewable energy
sources such as solar energy." |
Hickory Solar Farm
Docket Item C, PLN-USE-2017-003 December 19, 2017 |
City of Chesapeake |
Kenneth Niemann testifies that a "Phase 1 Environmental Site
Assessment found no issues there are no impacts to endangered
species historic resources and wetlands The U S Navy has
approved the use." Also that there will be no heat or glare
impact. Commissioner Kish asked Mr. Neimann to describe the
power transfer to Dominion Power and any rate increases Mr.
Neimann replied that rates are controlled by the State
Corporation Commission He also stated that there is no guarantee
that Dominion Power will buy their power since there are at
least 60 applications under consideration to sell their
power.
Neimann testifies that "The project will take
eight 8 months to construct Jobs will be sourced locally
mostly electricians After construction the project is unmanned
except for maintenance visits one to two 1 2 times per month." |
Hickory Solar site Decommissioning Plan, October 28, 2019 |
City of Chesapeake |
Decommissioning Plan for the City of Chesapeake prepared by
Caden Energix Hickory LLC, residing at 2311 Wilson Blvd,
Suite 640, Arlington, VA 22201 (A Carr Property, built and owned
by Alony Hetz, the owner of Energix, and also serving as the
headquarters of Energix US, LLC.).
Forecasts that in 35
years it will cost $2.2 million to decommission the site, or
$218 thousand after salvage. |
Hickory Solar Farm
Memo PLN-USE-2017-003 April 28, 2017 |
City of Chesapeake |
Applicant/owner need to submit a landscape plan, detailing
buffers, glint and glare issues, proximity to U.S. Navy's
Fentress airfield easements. Storage shed will be no more than
250 feet square. |
TUVRheinland report
September 27, 2016 |
City of Chesapeake |
TUVRheinland analytical report submitted to Trina Solar about
the toxicity of substances that leach from solar panels
such as arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury,
selenium and silver. Earlier reports. |
Notice(s) of Intent -
Caden Energix projects in other jurisdictions
September 30, 2019 |
Department of Environmental Quality |
Energix notice of intent filed for utility scale projects in
Axton (66 megawatts),
Gladys (60 megawatts),
Jarrat (82.5 megawatts) and
Wythe (20 megawatts). |
Building Permit
October 25, 2019 |
Department of Development and Permits |
HICKORY SOLAR FARM - THE INSTALLATION OF A 32.0 MW SOLAR
PHOTOVOLTAIC GENERATING FACILITY ON APPROXIMATELY 155.18 ACRES
OF LAND. THE SOLAR POWER PLANT WILL BE A GROUND-MOUNTED
HORIZONTAL AXIS TRACKER SYSTEM. 700 Ballentine RD, Chesapeake,
VA. Permit number BLD-COM-2019-00442. |
Building Permit Application
August 22, 2019 |
Department of Development and Permits |
$23 million estimated construction cost. Contractor Dale Curtiss
of Energix EPC US LLC. |
Stipulations
February 13, 2018 |
Department of Development and Permits |
a. In light of tax exemptions afforded to solar facilities in
Virginia and in an effort to promote and preserve agricultural
lands, the applicant/owner agrees to make an annual contribution
of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) to the City of
Chesapeake' s Open Space and Agricultural Preservation Program
or similar program as approved by the Director of Planning or
designee. The first contribution shall be paid prior to the
issuance of a certificate of occupancy for this use and each
annual contribution shall be paid every twelve ( 12) months
thereafter.B. The applicant/owner shall also install and
maintain a 6-feet security fence around the entire perimeter
of the solar farm prior to the Issuance of a Certificate of
Occupancy for the use. Said fence shall be between six (61 to
ten ( 10) feet in heiaht The fence shall not exceed six 161 feet
in height unless the applicant owner receives the approval of a
variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals. In no case shall the
solar panels exceed the height of the security fence. Karen E.
Shaffer. |
Record Details
September 16, 2019 |
Department of Development and Permits |
Building permit fee assessment and invoice for $122,522.81 to
Energix EPC US LLC. |
Data Sheet
Undated |
Department of Development and Permits |
Utility Power Rack 5000 / 5500 - SMA "turnkey solution for the
North American utility PV market." |
Statement of Structural Tests and Special Inspections
September 11, 2019 |
Department of Development and Permits |
Results submitted by Gary S. Johnson, Commonwealth of Virginia,
Professional Engineer. |
PPP Loan Data by State
PPP Loans going to
VA solar utilities, $350,000 and above (Excel) |
Small Business Administration |
Energix EPC US LLC captures an estimated 33% of all Paycheck
Protection Program loans in the $350,000 and above category for
the state of Virginia. |
Israel Lobby
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