San Diego County planning commissioners unanimously advanced a modified version of the Starlight Solar project in Boulevard on Tuesday, according to East County Magazine, moving the industrial-scale solar and battery storage proposal closer to a final decision by the Board of Supervisors.

The revised plan would cover about 500 acres and include 85 megawatts of solar generation and 217.4 megawatts of battery storage. Commissioners added conditions related to onsite water retention, moving some battery storage farther from homes in a later phase and shifting some community-benefit money earlier in the project, East County Magazine reported.

Residents and community planning representatives raised concerns about wildfire danger, toxic plume risks, dust from construction, groundwater questions and the cumulative impact of large energy projects already approved in the Boulevard and Jacumba areas. Supporters argued that solar and battery storage are needed to meet clean-energy goals and support regional reliability.

The decision matters beyond Boulevard because East County’s rural communities continue to carry much of the debate over where San Diego County places renewable energy infrastructure. Santee residents may not live next to the project, but the same county land-use, wildfire and utility-reliability questions shape planning across the inland region.

The project still needs approval from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors before it can move forward. East County Magazine has the full report and hearing details.