⚡ 3119 CHAMMINGS CT

MEMORANDUM

TO: Sunland America Corp. Development Committee
FROM: Senior BESS Site Evaluation Analyst
DATE: October 26, 2023
SUBJECT: Comprehensive Site Diligence Analysis – "Project Vineland" (3119 Chammings Ct, Cumberland County, NJ)

This report provides a comprehensive due diligence analysis for the property located at 3119 Chammings Ct, Vineland, NJ (APN: 0614_603_18) for its suitability as a distribution-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project. The site presents a compelling physical case due to its favorable zoning and exceptional grid proximity, but faces significant financial headwinds from a lack of available ITC incentives.

1. Site Access & Topography

Road Access & Equipment Delivery: The property has direct frontage on Chammings Court, a publicly maintained road. A desktop review indicates Chammings Court is a paved, industrial-grade cul-de-sac off West Landis Avenue, a major local thoroughfare. This access is considered excellent and fully capable of supporting heavy truck traffic, including flatbeds for battery containers, inverter skids, and the main power transformer. No immediate upgrades to public roads appear necessary for construction access.

Terrain & Buildability: Located in southern New Jersey, the site is presumed to be exceptionally flat, consistent with the regional topography. This significantly reduces potential civil engineering costs, as extensive grading will likely be unnecessary. The provided data indicates 7.5 buildable acres out of an 8.01-acre parcel, representing a highly efficient 93.6% land use ratio, which is ideal for maximizing the BESS footprint.

Heavy Equipment Access: The combination of wide, paved public road access and flat terrain provides high confidence that all necessary heavy equipment, including a 100-ton crane for setting the transformer, can access the site without issue.

Easement Concerns: While direct site access is secured via the public road, a critical note is that the Point of Interconnection (POI) requires an extension within the public Right-of-Way (ROW). This will necessitate a ROW Use Permit or easement from the City of Vineland for the installation of underground conduit and cabling. While typically achievable, this introduces a permitting dependency and potential coordination delays with the city's public works department.

2. Environmental Constraints

FEMA Flood Zone: The FEMA flood zone designation is currently Unknown. This represents a critical information gap. A preliminary review of regional maps suggests the site is not immediately adjacent to major water bodies, but a formal FEMA FIRMette map analysis is required immediately. Siting critical infrastructure within a Special Flood Hazard Area (e.g., Zone A, AE) would trigger significant design changes, including elevating all equipment, and could potentially render the project unfinanceable or uninsurable.

Wetlands: The presence of wetlands is also Unknown. Southern New Jersey contains extensive wetlands, making this a high-risk item. An initial desktop screening using the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) is a mandatory next step. If the NWI indicates potential wetlands, a formal wetlands delineation by a certified professional will be required. The presence of regulated wetlands could impose significant setbacks or reduce the buildable area, jeopardizing the project layout.

Habitat & Species: The data indicates no critical habitat or protected areas on site, which is a significant positive. This should be verified with the USFWS IPaC tool as a standard diligence measure, but the risk of endangered species constraints appears low given the industrial setting.

Contamination Status: The site has no known brownfield or superfund sites within a two-mile radius. This is positive from a liability and cleanup cost perspective. However, it also means the project is ineligible for the 10% IRA Brownfield Adder, which is a notable economic disadvantage.

Other Constraints: The site is not within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area. The absence of pipelines within a three-mile radius is a major safety and design advantage, eliminating concerns related to pipeline explosion radii and associated setbacks.

3. Grid Infrastructure & Interconnection

Substation & Transmission Proximity: The site's grid access is its strongest attribute. It is located just 0.2 miles from Atlantic City Electric's (ACE) LANDIS STATION, a major 138 kV substation. An ACE 138 kV transmission line is also present at the same distance. This proximity drastically reduces the risk of excessive line extension costs and minimizes electrical losses.

Interconnection Point: The proposed interconnection is at 12.9 kV, a standard distribution voltage for ACE. For a distribution-scale project (≤5MW), this is the ideal voltage class. It avoids the more complex, costly, and time-consuming process of a transmission-level interconnection. The likely POI will be a tap of an existing 12.9 kV distribution feeder originating from Landis Station that runs along W Landis Avenue.

Cost & Timeline Estimate: While proximity is excellent, the required 0.2-mile (approx. 1,050 ft) extension in the public ROW will be the primary cost driver. A preliminary, all-in cost estimate for this extension (including trenching, conduit, cable, terminations, and engineering) is likely in the $350,000 - $600,000 range. This requires immediate verification via an ACE pre-application. ACE's interconnection queue, like many in PJM territory, can be lengthy. A formal application should anticipate an 18-24 month timeline from submission to commercial operation.

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