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

First lawsuit filed against Camp Mystic by parents of five campers, two counselors

First lawsuit filed against Camp Mystic by parents of five campers, two counselors

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square The first lawsuit was filed Monday against Camp Mystic by parents whose daughters were killed on July 4 when a flash flood ripped through two...
Senate votes to reopen government, sending funding bills to House

Senate votes to reopen government, sending funding bills to House

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After spending nearly seven weeks in a political deadlock, U.S. senators finally passed legislation to end the record-long government shutdown. Eight senators in the Democratic...
Illinois quick hits: Bailey to stay in governor's race

Illinois quick hits: Bailey to stay in governor’s race

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Bailey to stay in governor's race Republican candidate Darren Bailey has decided to stay in the race for Illinois governor. In...
Airlines warn flight reductions could cost U.S. economy

Airlines warn flight reductions could cost U.S. economy

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Flight delays and cancelations are frustrating Americans and could be costing the U.S. economy millions of dollars each day, according to a new report from...
Report: Less than half of CPS students performing at grade level

Report: Less than half of CPS students performing at grade level

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Policy Institute policy analyst Hannah Schmid is sounding the alarm about the state’s dimming prospects...

WATCH: IL comptroller candidates focus on transparency, timely reporting

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Transparency is a key talking point for Illinois comptroller candidates. One Republican and five Democrats have filed...
With shutdown ending, debate on Obamacare subsidies to begin

With shutdown ending, debate on Obamacare subsidies to begin

By Tom JoyceThe Center Square As Congress moves to reopen the federal government this week, debate is shifting toward how to pay for the federal health care programs that helped...
Democratic senators under fire explain why they supported GOP bill to end shutdown

Democratic senators under fire explain why they supported GOP bill to end shutdown

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square After breaking from the rest of the Democratic Caucus to help Republicans advance a deal that would end the government shutdown, the eight U.S. senators...
FDA to remove ‘black box’ warnings on menopausal hormone therapies

FDA to remove ‘black box’ warnings on menopausal hormone therapies

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is removing the “black box” warnings from hormone replacement therapy products for menopause, health administration officials announced Monday. A...
Giannoulias ramps up campaign for state regulation of auto premiums

Giannoulias ramps up campaign for state regulation of auto premiums

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has expanded his campaign to regulate auto insurance rates. Giannoulias visited...
Trump demands air traffic controllers return to work

Trump demands air traffic controllers return to work

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square After a reduction of up to 10% of flights in and out of the nation’s top airports, causing major travel disruptions, President Donald Trump is...
Analysis: Trump's proposed tariff rebate would cost twice as much as tariffs

Analysis: Trump’s proposed tariff rebate would cost twice as much as tariffs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump has again floated the idea of sending Americans $2,000 from tariff revenue, but a new analysis suggests the import taxes won't bring...
Trump pardons 77 people linked to 2020 presidential election challenge

Trump pardons 77 people linked to 2020 presidential election challenge

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square President Donald Trump issued a proclamation providing pardons for a slew of people accused of trying to overturn the 2020 presidential elections, including Rudy Giuliani...
Supreme Court agrees to hear election law challenge

Supreme Court agrees to hear election law challenge

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear a case challenging state laws that allow ballots to be counted if they are received after...
Supreme Court declines to hear same-sex marriage challenge

Supreme Court declines to hear same-sex marriage challenge

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court declined a petition on Monday to hear a case aimed at overturning the legalization of same-sex marriage. Kim Davis, a former...