Keith County approves solar facility permit for Midwest Electric near Paxton

The Keith County Board of Commissioners convened on November 13, 2024, to discuss significant developments in renewable energy, particularly a proposed solar generation facility. The board reviewed a request from Jason Bishop of Midwest Electric Cooperative and Jeff Coyle of Premier Energy LLC for a conditional use permit to establish a 1-megawatt solar generation facility with battery storage on 9.9 acres of land located southeast of Paxton.

The property, owned by Janice Spurgeon, has received her written consent for the application, and a lease agreement is in place between her and Midwest Electric. The site is currently zoned for agriculture and is part of a larger 155-acre parcel. The Planning Commission had previously reviewed the proposal on November 7 and recommended its approval, noting that all necessary documentation had been submitted.

During the meeting, the board discussed the facility's decommissioning plan, which had been a point of contention in earlier discussions. The updated plan now includes specific financial details, addressing previous concerns. The commissioners also reviewed the site layout and setbacks, ensuring compliance with local regulations.

Public interest in the project appeared minimal, with only a few attendees at the Planning Commission meeting expressing curiosity rather than opposition. The commissioners noted that the facility's size was strategically chosen to maximize local power generation without necessitating complex regulatory hurdles associated with larger installations.

In addition to the solar project, the board addressed other matters, but the solar facility remains the focal point of the meeting, reflecting a growing trend towards renewable energy initiatives in the region. The approval of this project aligns with broader community goals of sustainable energy development and local power generation, marking a significant step forward for Keith County's energy landscape.