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

Negotiations continue in Israel-Hamas peace deal

Negotiations continue in Israel-Hamas peace deal

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Negotiating continues as the freedom of over 40 Israeli hostages lies on the line, a week after President Donald Trump welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin...
WATCH: Trump: Pritzker fears for his life as gov opposes Guard deployment; CTA DEI cuts

WATCH: Trump: Pritzker fears for his life as gov opposes Guard deployment; CTA DEI cuts

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop gets to the...
Op-Ed: Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week: Time to protect Illinois jobs, family businesses

Op-Ed: Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week: Time to protect Illinois jobs, family businesses

By Bob GorayThe Center Square This week is Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week, a time dedicated to bringing attention to how Illinois’s unfair legal system drains the economy, hurts consumers and...
Bessent names new CEO for tax collection agency

Bessent names new CEO for tax collection agency

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is serving as acting commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, created a new position to lead the day-to-day operations of...
Insurance giant called out for promoting DEI

Insurance giant called out for promoting DEI

By Tate MillerThe Center Square Consumers’ Research launched a seven-figure campaign against Chubb Insurance, stating in its Woke Alert that the company promotes DEI, gender ideology, and climate extremism. Executive...
Fiscal Fallout: Illinois diversity commission's budget ballooning but results lag

Fiscal Fallout: Illinois diversity commission’s budget ballooning but results lag

By Jared Strong | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Despite federal pushback for diversity, equity and inclusion programs, Illinois has spent millions of dollars in the...
Clark County Logo

Clark County to Participate in National Opioid Settlement

Article Summary: The Clark County Board has voted to join the National Opioids Settlement, a nationwide agreement resulting from litigation against Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family for their role...
Everyday Economics: Government shutdown clouds economic picture

Everyday Economics: Government shutdown clouds economic picture

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square (The Center Square ) – As Washington remains gridlocked, Americans face more than political theater – they're losing access to critical economic information. The government...
Illinois quick hits: Trump deploys Illinois Nartional Guard; Madigan to report to prison

Illinois quick hits: Trump deploys Illinois Nartional Guard; Madigan to report to prison

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Trump deploys Illinois Nartional Guard President Donald Trump will federalize 300 Illinois National Guard troops, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement Saturday. 'Pritzker...
Trump deploys California National Guard to Portland

Trump deploys California National Guard to Portland

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square President Donald Trump on Sunday deployed California National Guard troops to Portland after a federal judge in Oregon on Saturday temporarily blocked the president from...
Peace on the line two years after Oct. 7 attacks

Peace on the line two years after Oct. 7 attacks

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Tuesday marks the second anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack; the impact of that day continues to be felt worldwide. Israel has...
U.S. Supreme Court looks to start consequential new term

U.S. Supreme Court looks to start consequential new term

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will hear the first oral arguments of its new term on Monday, with several high-profile cases already on the docket. The...
U of I scrutinized over perceived preference for international students

U of I scrutinized over perceived preference for international students

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The University of Illinois faces scrutiny over its Spring 2026 Master’s in Accounting program, with the...
lake land college.2

Lake Land College one of 10 national recipients of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Scaling Apprenticeship grant

Lake Land College was recently named one of 10 recipients of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Scaling Apprenticeship grant. With funding from Ascendum Education Group and in partnership...
Youngkin, Johnson call for AG candidate to withdraw after violent texts emerge

Youngkin, Johnson call for AG candidate to withdraw after violent texts emerge

By Dan McCalebThe Center Square Gov. Glenn Youngkin and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson are calling on Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones to exit the race after it was...