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

ICE agents shoot armed woman in suburban Chicago during attack

ICE agents shoot armed woman in suburban Chicago during attack

By Dan McCaleb | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Border Patrol agents near Chicago shot an armed woman Saturday who was part of a group of...
Pritzker: Trump to federalize Illinois National Guard

Pritzker: Trump to federalize Illinois National Guard

By Dan McCaleb | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – President Donald Trump will federalize 300 Illinois National Guard troops, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement...
City taxpayer burden swells, as Chicago pension debt rises

City taxpayer burden swells, as Chicago pension debt rises

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago taxpayers now face unfunded debt from its municipal, laborers, police, fire and teachers’ pensions that...
Clark County Logo

Clark County Amends Liquor Ordinance, Keeps Sunday Morning Sales Ban

Article Summary: The Clark County Board approved changes to its liquor ordinance, extending closing times to midnight and increasing violation penalties, but ultimately rejected a proposal to allow Sunday morning...
USDOT puts $2.1 billion of taxpayer funds for CTA under review

USDOT puts $2.1 billion of taxpayer funds for CTA under review

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – More than $2 billion in federal taxpayer infrastructure funding granted by the Biden administration for Chicago Transit...
2025Royalty-2024King-CrownBearers.Cropped

2025 C-W Homecoming Royalty

King Luke Karras & Queen Lucy Moore Luke is the son of Robin & Tony Karras; Lucy is the daughter of Helen & Tyler Moore Duke Nolan Clement & Duchess...
SeniorClassCandidate-Royalty

Senior Homecoming Attendents

Kayla Clark & Nolan Clement Kayla is the daughter of Jodi & Josh Clark; Nolan is the son of Becky & Doug Clement Julia Eckerty & Kellen Sullivan Julia is...
JuniorClassAttendents

Junior Homecoming Attendents

Anna Karras & Will Moore Anna is the daughter of Robin & Tony Karras; Will is the son of Helen & Tyler Moore Aubrey Meyer & Drake Worby Aubrey is...
SophomoreClassAttendents

Sophomore Homecoming Attendents

Gyllyane Gilbert & Jett Self Gyllyane is the daughter of Caryn Gilbert & Nick Gilbert; Jett is the son of Tawnya & Steve Self Claire Kusterman & Weston Hupp Claire...
FreshmanClassAttendents

Freshman Homecoming Attendents

Rylee Erickson & Otto Cox Rylee is the daughter of Laci & Chad Erickson; Otto is the son of Tara & Andy Cox Allie Goble & Owen Ramsey Allie is...
WATCH: State police prepares ICE protest zones; energy policy debate continues

WATCH: State police prepares ICE protest zones; energy policy debate continues

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 shares the latest...
AI chatbots a child safety risk, parental groups report

AI chatbots a child safety risk, parental groups report

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square ParentsTogether Action and Heat Initiative, following a joint investigation, report that Character AI chatbots display inappropriate behavior, including allegations of grooming and sexual exploitation. This...
WATCH: California officials seek early voting on Prop. 50

WATCH: California officials seek early voting on Prop. 50

By Dave MasonThe Center Square California officials Thursday urged voters to vote early in the Nov. 4 special election that will determine whether and how the state draws new congressional...
Illinois quick hits: Transit cliff revision criticized; Pike County shooting investigation

Illinois quick hits: Transit cliff revision criticized; Pike County shooting investigation

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Transit cliff revision criticized With the transit fiscal cliff expected to be revised to approximately $300 million, labor and environmental groups...
Pritzker open to spending on Bears infrastructure, concerns remain about debt

Pritzker open to spending on Bears infrastructure, concerns remain about debt

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he is open to state funding of infrastructure for a proposed Chicago Bears...