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Developers, landowners and county debate lifting Crawford County solar moratorium
Summary
Developers and local landowners urged Crawford County commissioners to lift a moratorium on large-scale solar so projects tied to Pittsburg State University and utility contracts can proceed; speakers discussed tax abatement, battery taxation, school-district revenue estimates and the county's comprehensive-plan survey that will inform zoning.
John Kopiak, a representative of Chester Power, urged Crawford County commissioners on May 9 to lift the county's moratorium on large-scale solar so his company and other developers can begin projects that would involve Pittsburg State University students and local farmland.
The request came during the commission's public-comment period as developers described planned investments and county residents and landowners pressed for clarity about taxes, school funding and project guarantees.
Why it matters: Commissioners are weighing a moratorium on utility-scale solar and wind while a consultant finalizes an updated comprehensive plan. Developers said delays risk moving private investment and utility contracts — and tax revenue tied to battery storage — to other counties.
Kopiak said the project would employ about 200 workers for roughly two years and bring “a substantial investment in the area,” and asked the commission to lift the moratorium so permitting and development can proceed. He said Chester Power is working with Pittsburg State…
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