Board Approves Moonshine Solar Decommissioning Deal Exceeding State Minimum

Spread the love

Clark County Board Meeting | April 17, 2026

Article Summary: The Clark County Board on Friday, April 17, 2026, approved a decommissioning agreement for the Moonshine Solar project under which the developer will post 100% financial assurance beginning at the building permit stage — well ahead of the state statutory schedule. The agreement is to be re-evaluated every five years at the developer’s cost.

Moonshine Solar Decommissioning Key Points:

  • The board approved the Moonshine Solar decommissioning agreement resolution, carried on the agenda as Resolution 2026-R02.
  • Attorney Andrew Keyt said state statute requires only 10% financial assurance for the first six years, 50% through year 11, and 100% thereafter. Moonshine has agreed to post 100% from the building permit stage.
  • The agreement is to be re-evaluated every five years, at a cost to the developer.
  • The vote was unanimous among members present.

CLARK COUNTY — The Clark County Board on Friday, April 17, 2026, approved a decommissioning agreement for the Moonshine Solar project that requires the developer to post full financial assurance years earlier than state law demands.

Andrew Keyt, the attorney representing the county on wind and solar ordinances and projects, updated the board on the resolution before the vote. Keyt said the Moonshine project is getting close to starting and will need a building permit in the future. One of the requirements imposed on the project was to have a decommissioning plan and financial assurance.

Under the state statute’s minimum requirement, Keyt said, a developer only has to post 10% for the first six years, then 50% up to year 11, and after that 100%. Moonshine has agreed to post 100% from the building permit stage. Keyt told the board the agreement is favorable to the county, and that it will be re-evaluated every five years, at a cost to the developer.

The minutes do not record the dollar amount of the financial assurance, the size or location of the project, the name of the developer, or the form the assurance will take.

The motion to approve was made by board member Brandon Burkybile and seconded by board member Mike Parsons. The chairman put the question, and upon the roll being taken all members present voted aye. Chairman Rex Goble declared the motion adopted. The minutes note an attachment to the item; the attachment was not included in the materials available for this report.

Decommissioning plans and financial assurance requirements generally govern how a solar site is removed and the land restored once a project reaches the end of its life, and how the money to do that work is guaranteed in advance.

The Moonshine project surfaced a second time later in the meeting. Under new and old business during the highway discussion, County Engineer Dallas Richardson told the board that the Moonshine Solar Farm road repairs were having the culverts delivered that day, so that work would be starting soon. The minutes carry no further detail on the road repairs — no cost, no roads named, and no schedule.

The board’s action on the Moonshine agreement came the same morning it tabled amended solar and wind ordinances on its attorney’s advice, and heard from a second developer that a new solar special use application is coming within the month. The minutes do not describe any relationship between the Moonshine project and those matters.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Judge: Biden-era decree deal requires release of 600+ from ICE detention

Judge: Biden-era decree deal requires release of 600+ from ICE detention

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Chicago federal judge appointed by former President Joe Biden has ruled potentially hundreds of illegal immigrants must be released from federal...
Poll: Majority believe free speech in U.S. headed in wrong direction

Poll: Majority believe free speech in U.S. headed in wrong direction

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square An overwhelming majority of Americans believe freedom of speech is headed in the wrong direction, according to a new poll. The Foundation for Individual Rights...
Illinois quick hits: Chicago treasurer to boycott U.S. securities to protest against Trump; Governor marks opening of new union training center; Illinois farms expected to lose $67.2 million a year

Illinois quick hits: Chicago treasurer to boycott U.S. securities to protest against Trump; Governor marks opening of new union training center; Illinois farms expected to lose $67.2 million a year

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Treasurer to boycott U.S. Treasury securities to protest against Trump Chicago’s finances may take another hit after City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin...
Clark County Graphic.5

Clark County Board Approves Earlier Sunday Alcohol Sales for Lakeside Oasis

Clark County Board Meeting | September 19, 2025 Article Summary:The Clark County Board voted to amend its liquor ordinance, allowing Tingley's Lakeside Oasis to begin selling alcohol at 8 a.m....
Trump signs executive order to improve foster care

Trump signs executive order to improve foster care

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square In line with First Lady Melania Trump’s efforts to improve the foster care system, the president signed an executive order Thursday to better support foster...
Hegseth announces Operation Southern Spear, targeting narco-terrorists

Hegseth announces Operation Southern Spear, targeting narco-terrorists

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Operation Southern Spear, the new title for the Trump administration’s targeting of narco-terrorists in and around Latin America, was announced Thursday by Secretary of War...
Justice Department accuses California of racial gerrymandering in redistricting plan

Justice Department accuses California of racial gerrymandering in redistricting plan

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice sued California officials Thursday over the state's redistricting plan, which could help Democrats pick up additional seats in Congress. The...
Illinois quick hits: WARN Act reporting shows 1,600 job losses in October

Illinois quick hits: WARN Act reporting shows 1,600 job losses in October

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square WARN Act reporting shows 1,600 job losses in October The Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act for October reports...
Pritzker, alders oppose Chicago tax plans, property tax hike could be next

Pritzker, alders oppose Chicago tax plans, property tax hike could be next

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the Chicago City Council considers 2026 budget measures, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed tax hikes continue to...
State Department designates European Antifa groups foreign terror organizations

State Department designates European Antifa groups foreign terror organizations

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The U.S. State Department officially designated four foreign Antifa groups as foreign terrorist organizations, nearly two months after President Donald Trump designated Antifa a domestic...
NetChoice scores legal win in social media warning lawsuit

NetChoice scores legal win in social media warning lawsuit

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A U.S. District Court recently granted a preliminary injunction against a new Colorado law that would require social media platforms to regularly send pop-up notifications...
Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger draws more support as critics push back

Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger draws more support as critics push back

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square Support is growing for the proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern as federal regulators continue reviewing what would become the first transcontinental freight...
TSA agents who worked throughout shutdown to receive $10,000 bonus

TSA agents who worked throughout shutdown to receive $10,000 bonus

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The Department of Homeland Security will issue $10,000 bonus checks to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents who demonstrated “exemplary” behavior and work attendance during the...
Boeing to pay $36M to family of Indian woman killed in Ethiopia Air crash

Boeing to pay $36M to family of Indian woman killed in Ethiopia Air crash

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square The family of a woman from India who died in a 2019 airliner crash could receive nearly $35 million from Boeing, under...
Pro-life org invests $80M into 2026 midterms, will reach 10.5M voters

Pro-life org invests $80M into 2026 midterms, will reach 10.5M voters

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America says it will reach 10.5 million voters by its newly announced investment of $80 million into the 2026 midterm election,...