Clearway Energy seeks ordinance changes, offers $1 million community fund as project design continues

Clearway Energy representatives updated the Garrard County Fiscal Court on July 28 on a proposed solar project, requested changes to the county ordinance on prime farmland, and proposed a $1,000,000 community benefit fund while the final project design remains incomplete. Barry Matchett and Anna Rodger, representing Clearway Energy, told the court the company plans to continue coordinating with Kentucky Transportation District 7 on avoiding a planned Highway 27 bypass and that the project’s final layout will be “significantly smaller (less than half)” of the roughly 3,500 acres the company has leased. The firm proposed the use of Industrial Revenue Bonds and a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) arrangement for property tax treatment, and said the decommissioning bond process is administered by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet and should be referenced in any amended county ordinance. The company also proposed donating $1,000,000 to a community benefit fund overseen by a five-member local board of citizens who do not hold elective office. Clearway asked the court to consider amendments to the county ordinance covering prime farmland and other changes that had been raised in public meetings, and requested a preparatory meeting in August so the court could consider a vote on an ordinance amendment at an upcoming meeting. Judge/Executive Chris Elleman said he would discuss scheduling with the magistrates and could place an ordinance amendment on the first meeting in August if they wish. The court did not take a formal vote on ordinance language or approve any tax or bond arrangements at the July 28 meeting; Clearway’s proposals were presented for consideration and scheduling. The matters raised will require drafting ordinance language and likely follow-up meetings before formal action.