Residents Voice Solar Project Concerns; Clark County Board to Seek Expert for Ordinance Review

Clark County Board Meeting | September 19, 2025

Article Summary:
Following public comments from residents expressing concerns about transparency and safety related to a planned solar project, the Clark County Board on Friday tabled a decision to hire a consulting firm. The board will instead issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to find a suitable expert to help review the county’s solar ordinance.

Solar Project Discussion Key Points:

• Resident Elise Ellinghausen raised concerns about a planned solar project near Bass Lake, citing confusing company information and potential fire hazards.

• Resident Ed Talbert requested that solar applications be posted on the county website to allow for greater public review time.

• The board opted to delay hiring a consultant and will hold a special meeting on October 10 to interview firms that respond to an RFP.

The Clark County Board on Friday, September 19, 2025, paused its search for a consultant to review its solar energy ordinance after residents voiced significant concerns about a specific project and the county’s public review process.

During the public comments portion of the meeting, Elise Ellinghausen, who lives near a proposed community solar project by Bass Lake, described receiving a vague notification packet in the mail with no return address. She noted discrepancies in the company’s listed location and expressed alarm about potential fire risks, stating she was told local fire departments lack the ability to extinguish solar panel fires and must wait for company representatives.

“The way that she found out about the solar project was because they were surveyors putting flags down,” the meeting minutes stated, summarizing Ellinghausen’s comments.

Another resident, Ed Talbert, urged the board to increase transparency by posting all solar applications on the county website as soon as they are received. He argued this would give the public more time for review before public hearings are held.

Later in the meeting, under new business, the board was scheduled to discuss and possibly approve one of three proposals from the firm Berns, Clancy and Associates for a special use review of solar energy projects. Chairman Rex Goble questioned Highway Engineer Dallas Richardson about his experience with the firm. Richardson suggested that issuing an RFP would be a better approach to determine which firm best fits the county’s needs.

Following this discussion, the board decided to table the item. A special meeting has been scheduled for October 10 to interview firms and move forward with the RFP process.