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

‘Half-baked’ Illinois social media tax poised to tee up court challenges

‘Half-baked’ Illinois social media tax poised to tee up court challenges

By Jonathan Bilyk | The Center SquareThe Center Square Illinois is poised to be headed back into court to defend another constitutionally questionable law, as tech companies and internet freedom...
DHS thwarts Iranian terrorist threats at the northern border, World Cup ties

DHS thwarts Iranian terrorist threats at the northern border, World Cup ties

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Iranian terrorist threats continue at the northern border, this time the threat also is connected to the World Cup and the Iranian National Guard Corps....
Minnesota man ordered to pay $2.5M in fraud case, faces no criminal charges

Minnesota man ordered to pay $2.5M in fraud case, faces no criminal charges

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A Minnesota court has ordered a man to pay nearly $2.5 million in damages, penalties and legal fees after a jury found he submitted nearly...
Everyday Economics: A new chair, a shorter statement, a Fed that stopped talking cuts

Everyday Economics: A new chair, a shorter statement, a Fed that stopped talking cuts

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square The Federal Reserve left interest rates alone last Wednesday, holding its benchmark in the 3.50%–3.75% range for a fourth straight meeting – after standing pat...
Casey Council Meeting Graphic.2

Casey Council OKs $1.12 Million in Bills, Adds Monthly Budget Reviews

Casey City Council Meeting | June 1, 2026 Article Summary: The Casey City Council on Monday, June 1, 2026, approved $1,124,800.45 in May bills and a $647,045.17 treasurer's collection deposit...
Illinois congressmen worry as DHS Secretary seeks to ‘protect election integrity’

Illinois congressmen worry as DHS Secretary seeks to ‘protect election integrity’

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A potential plan to deploy federal immigration agents to polling places this fall is illegal and would...
Poll: 70% of Americans 'concerned' AI will take jobs

Poll: 70% of Americans ‘concerned’ AI will take jobs

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Roughly 70% of Americans said they were at least "somewhat concerned" that artificial intelligence could replace their jobs, according to a new poll. The Center...
Lawmaker says Pritzker reacted too quickly to Grant Park cross burning

Lawmaker says Pritzker reacted too quickly to Grant Park cross burning

By Catrina BarkerThe Center Square Illinois state Rep. Chris Miller says Gov. J.B. Pritzker should address the political motivations behind a Grant Park cross burning after the University of Illinois...
Sanders bill would give U.S. stake in AI companies; analyst calls idea 'nutty'

Sanders bill would give U.S. stake in AI companies; analyst calls idea ‘nutty’

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A U.S. Senate bill would give the federal government a 50% ownership stake in the largest artificial intelligence companies, creating a sovereign wealth fund its...
Poll: Most Americans don't trust AI for news

Poll: Most Americans don’t trust AI for news

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Most Americans say they do not trust artificial intelligence to provide accurate and unbiased information about politics and current events, according to a new poll....
Poll: 6 in 10 voters say country headed in wrong direction

Poll: 6 in 10 voters say country headed in wrong direction

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Six in 10 American voters say the country is heading in the wrong direction before this year's midterm elections, an increase from three months ago,...
Trump shares look at Qatari aircraft for AF1

Trump shares look at Qatari aircraft for AF1

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump shared a look at a new aircraft with The Center Square on Friday that will serve as Air Force One. The Air...
Feds plan for student loan interest rates could cost taxpayers

Feds plan for student loan interest rates could cost taxpayers

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Education is reducing student loan interest rates for borrowers, but critics argue the move could cost taxpayers billions of dollars. The...
Altadena residents upset about multiple homes on lots

Altadena residents upset about multiple homes on lots

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square A member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is frustrated with state laws allowing multiple homes to be built on single-home sites in...
WATCH: GOP lawmaker voices opposition to gas tax increase

WATCH: GOP lawmaker voices opposition to gas tax increase

By Madeline ShannonThe Center Square California drivers can expect the state’s gas tax to go up 2.2 cents on July 1, which will bring the total tax to 63.4 cents...