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

Trump condemns possible low-income housing Pacific Palisades rebuild

Trump condemns possible low-income housing Pacific Palisades rebuild

By Kenneth SchruppThe Center Square President Donald Trump condemned the possibility of building low-income housing in the Pacific Palisades, and the City of Los Angeles’s slow issuance of rebuilding permits...
Pro-marijuana groups claim reclassification would be good for businesses

Pro-marijuana groups claim reclassification would be good for businesses

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration is looking to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, which could lessen criminal penalties and expand banking opportunities for companies in...
Illinois quick hits: Fatal crash involved Guatemalan national; tentative Chicago firefighters contract

Illinois quick hits: Fatal crash involved Guatemalan national; tentative Chicago firefighters contract

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Fatal crash involved Guatemalan national The Stephenson County Sheriff’s Department says toxicology testing will be conducted to determine if alcohol was...
WATCH: Sonya Massey bill requiring full employment history for police candidates now law

WATCH: Sonya Massey bill requiring full employment history for police candidates now law

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A measure requiring police agencies across the state of Illinois to get full employment history for prospective...
Republicans respond to data showing 10M will soon lose Medicaid coverage

Republicans respond to data showing 10M will soon lose Medicaid coverage

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Democrats are sounding the alarm over a new analysis showing that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will cause millions of Medicaid recipients to lose...
DOGE can access sensitive data at federal agencies, appeals court rules

DOGE can access sensitive data at federal agencies, appeals court rules

By Caroline BodaThe Center Square An appeals court ruled Tuesday to allow the Department of Government Efficiency access to sensitive data stored by three federal agencies. The ruling overrides a...
Chicago group says Illinois officials break laws as they blast Trump

Chicago group says Illinois officials break laws as they blast Trump

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says he and Gov. J.B. Pritzker are on the same page about President...
Musk has coalition support in lawsuit threat against Apple over App Store treatment

Musk has coalition support in lawsuit threat against Apple over App Store treatment

By Tom JopyceThe Center Square Elon Musk has the support of a coalition of tech companies after the X owner and Tesla founder says he will sue Apple, alleging the...

WATCH: Trump ‘considering’ lawsuit against Fed chair

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square President Donald Trump is “considering” suing the chairman of the Federal Reserve Jerome Powell. Trump said he is allowing the lawsuit to proceed because of...
Inflation holds steady amid trade war threats

Inflation holds steady amid trade war threats

By Caroline BodaThe Center Square As President Donald Trump’s tariff policies come into effect, July’s Consumer Price Index showed overall consumer prices rose 2.7% annually, slightly lower than forecasted by...
Report: Average American household will benefit from 'big, beautiful bill' tax cuts

Report: Average American household will benefit from ‘big, beautiful bill’ tax cuts

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The average American household will see their resources increase over the next 10 years due to the tax cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill...
Pritzker continues fielding presidential question ahead of State Fair rally

Pritzker continues fielding presidential question ahead of State Fair rally

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Democrats rally at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield Wednesday for Governor’s Day, but whether Gov....
Whitmer takes a stand against tariffs; meets with Trump

Whitmer takes a stand against tariffs; meets with Trump

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Michigan Democrats are taking a strong stand against President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, which they say will raise prices and hurt relations with allies like...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Tuesday Aug. 12th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Tuesday Aug. 12th, 2025

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 delves into the...
Governor to evaluate tax proposal for Bears stadium in Arlington Heights

Governor to evaluate tax proposal for Bears stadium in Arlington Heights

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is not ruling out tax legislation to help the Chicago Bears move forward with...