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

IL legislators weigh energy policy some say will increase costs

IL legislators weigh energy policy some say will increase costs

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois’ energy landscape continues to evolve as the state works to usher in industries that draw a...

NFIB says economy growing, but jobs lagging

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The National Federation of Independent Business released it's job report Thursday afternoon noting that the federal jobs report expected Friday will likely be delayed by...
'I don't have anything to negotiate:' Johnson holds firm on GOP shutdown strategy

‘I don’t have anything to negotiate:’ Johnson holds firm on GOP shutdown strategy

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square As the government shutdown enters its second day, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., defended Republican leaders’ refusal to concede to Democrats’ health care policy demands...
Analyst points to inefficiencies as Pritzker touts record spending on infrastructure

Analyst points to inefficiencies as Pritzker touts record spending on infrastructure

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the biggest infrastructure spending plan in state history, a transportation policy director...
Federal judge blocks cuts in anti-terror funding to NYC transit

Federal judge blocks cuts in anti-terror funding to NYC transit

By Chris WadeThe Center Square A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from withholding nearly $34 million to protect New York City's transportation system from terrorist attacks over the...
Businesses seek more time to address 'diverging interests' in tariff challenge

Businesses seek more time to address ‘diverging interests’ in tariff challenge

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square A group of small businesses that brought a legal challenge against President Donald Trump's global tariffs asked the Supreme Court for more time to argue...
Israel-Hamas peace deal in limbo as clock ticks away on deadline

Israel-Hamas peace deal in limbo as clock ticks away on deadline

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The clock is ticking for Hamas leaders to respond to the 20-point peace agreement proposed by President Donald Trump and approved by Israeli Prime Minister...
Trimming the fat: Trump boasts of shuttering government agencies amid shutdown

Trimming the fat: Trump boasts of shuttering government agencies amid shutdown

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump has condemned the shutdown and laid the blame squarely at the feet of the “Radical Left Democrats”— in the meantime, he appears...
Trump freezes $18 billion in NYC infrastructure over DEI policies

Trump freezes $18 billion in NYC infrastructure over DEI policies

By Chris WadeThe Center Square The Trump administration is freezing more than $18 billion in federal funding for infrastructure projects in New York City, citing concerns about diversity, equity and...
Illinois quick hits: DHS announces more than 800 illegals arrested; utility prices drop slightly

Illinois quick hits: DHS announces more than 800 illegals arrested; utility prices drop slightly

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Midway Blitz announces 800 illegals arrested According to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Border...
WATCH: Officials shift shutdown blame; agreed-bill process upended; GOP offers solutions

WATCH: Officials shift shutdown blame; agreed-bill process upended; GOP offers solutions

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 reaction to...
Critics: Democrat Senators supporting “Democracy’ amendment would curtail free speech

Critics: Democrat Senators supporting “Democracy’ amendment would curtail free speech

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Every Democrat in the U.S. Senate has backed a constitutional amendment designed to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election...
LA skyscrapers for homeless could cost federal taxpayers over $1 billion

LA skyscrapers for homeless could cost federal taxpayers over $1 billion

By Kenneth SchruppThe Center Square Federal taxpayers might be on the hook for more than $1 billion over the lifetime of three downtown Los Angeles skyscrapers designed to house the...

Fall 2025 Enrollment Reaches Highest Level in Many Years

Published on September 16, 2025 Lake Land College enrollment for the Fall 2025 semester has reached its highest level in many years, according to the College’s official 10th Day Enrollment Report...
Clark County Logo

Clark County Residents Confront Board Over Solar Project Concerns

Article Summary: Residents raised sharp objections to ongoing solar energy projects during the Clark County Board meeting, demanding more detailed decommissioning plans and protections for local roads. The board was...