⚡ -

MEMORANDUM

TO: Sunland America Corp. Development Committee

FROM: Senior BESS Site Evaluation Analyst

DATE: October 26, 2023

SUBJECT: Comprehensive Site Diligence Analysis for APN 1506400011, Schuyler County, IL

This report provides a comprehensive due diligence analysis for the subject property located in Schuyler County, Illinois, for its potential as a distribution-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) site. The analysis identifies several critical data gaps and significant risks, primarily concerning grid interconnection and physical site access, which must be resolved before committing further resources. While the site benefits from a valuable federal tax incentive, its fundamental viability is currently unconfirmed.

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access: Requires Verification. Initial GIS analysis indicates the 4.52-acre parcel is landlocked with no direct frontage on a public road. The nearest public road appears to be Ridge Road, a local rural road, located to the east of the parcel. Access would require negotiating and securing a permanent, all-weather access easement from an adjacent landowner. The quality of Ridge Road itself is likely gravel or compacted dirt, which may require significant upgrades (widening, grading, reinforcement) to support heavy construction traffic.

Equipment Delivery: Feasibility is currently low due to the landlocked status. Assuming an easement could be secured, a route study would be necessary to confirm that a lowboy trailer carrying a 53-foot battery container (approx. 80,000 lbs) and a medium power transformer (approx. 100,000 lbs) can navigate from the nearest state highway to the site without issue. This includes checking for narrow turns, inadequate culverts, low-hanging utility lines, and road weight restrictions.

Topography: Based on regional data for Schuyler County, the terrain is expected to be flat to gently rolling, which is generally ideal for BESS development as it minimizes civil engineering and grading costs. However, a formal topographic survey is required to confirm site-specific slopes and drainage patterns.

Easement Concerns: The need for a dedicated access easement is a significant risk. This introduces a third-party dependency, adds legal and acquisition costs, and complicates the development timeline. Furthermore, a separate easement would likely be required for the electrical collection line to reach the point of interconnection (POI).

2. Environmental Constraints

FEMA Flood Zone: Requires Verification. The FEMA flood zone designation is unknown. A desktop review of FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) is a critical next step. Siting critical infrastructure within a 100-year floodplain (Zone A/AE) is highly discouraged and would require significant mitigation (e.g., elevating all equipment), adding substantial cost and permitting complexity.

Wetlands: Requires Verification. The presence of jurisdictional wetlands is unknown. A review of the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) database followed by a formal wetlands delineation will be necessary. Presence of wetlands would trigger setback requirements (typically 50-100 feet, determined by the AHJ) and could reduce the buildable area of the already small 4.52-acre parcel, potentially rendering the project infeasible.

Critical Habitat / Endangered Species: The initial screen shows no critical habitat on site, which is a positive indicator. However, formal consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is recommended to confirm no state or federally listed species have habitats in the vicinity that could be impacted by construction.

Brownfield/Superfund Status: The site is not a brownfield. This eliminates the potential for the 10%