⚡ 949 OAK RD

MEMORANDUM

TO: Sunland America Corp. Development Committee
FROM: Senior BESS Site Evaluation Analyst
DATE: October 26, 2023
SUBJECT: Comprehensive Site Diligence Analysis – Project "Franklin Oak" (949 OAK RD, Franklin County, IL)

This report provides a comprehensive due diligence analysis for the 7.33-acre property located at 949 Oak Rd in unincorporated Franklin County, Illinois (APN: 10-31-227-002). The analysis evaluates the site's suitability for a distribution-scale (≤5MW) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project based on key development criteria.

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access: The property has direct frontage on Oak Rd, which appears to be a two-lane, local rural road. Requires Verification: The surface type (asphalt vs. gravel) and load-bearing capacity of Oak Rd and any connecting bridges must be confirmed via a site visit and consultation with the Franklin County Highway Department. Rural roads often have weight restrictions that could complicate the delivery of heavy equipment.

Equipment Delivery: Delivery of heavy BESS components, such as multi-ton battery containers and the main power transformer, will likely be via low-boy trailers. The feasibility depends on the quality of Oak Rd and the turning radii from main thoroughfares (e.g., IL-149). Any necessary road improvements, culvert upgrades, or temporary construction entrances would add to the project's civil costs. The site appears to have sufficient frontage for creating a new construction access point.

Topography: Based on regional data for Southern Illinois and satellite imagery, the site is expected to be relatively flat with minimal grade, which is ideal for BESS development as it minimizes civil engineering and earthwork costs. A formal topographic survey will be required to confirm this and inform the site design and drainage plan.

Easements: No existing access easements appear necessary given the road frontage. However, a new access easement may need to be recorded for the project's permanent entrance across the frontage of the parcel.

2. Environmental Constraints

FEMA Flood Zone: The FEMA flood zone designation is currently Unknown. This is a critical data gap. A review of the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) is an immediate next step. If the property lies within a 100-year floodplain (e.g., Zone A or AE), development could be prohibited or require elevating all equipment pads above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), adding significant cost and complexity.

Wetlands: The presence of jurisdictional wetlands is Unknown. A desktop screening using the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is required. Any potential wetlands identified would necessitate a formal wetland delineation and could significantly reduce the buildable area due to federal and state setback requirements (typically 50-100 feet).

Critical Habitat / Species: Initial data indicates no critical habitat or protected areas on or immediately adjacent to the site, which is a significant positive. As a standard diligence measure, a query of the USFWS IPaC (Information for Planning and Consultation) system should be run to identify any listed endangered or threatened species in the project vicinity and determine if further consultation is needed.

Brownfield/Superfund: The site is not a listed brownfield or superfund site. While this de-risks the project from a contamination and liability standpoint, it also means the project is ineligible for the 10% IRA brownfield tax credit adder.

Pipeline Proximity: No major gas or hazardous liquid pipelines are identified within a 3-mile radius. This is a major safety and layout advantage