Commissioners hear hours of testimony on NextEra Persica solar plan; no decision after mixed staff and commission recommendations

NextEra Energy representatives told Wagoner County commissioners on Oct. 12 they intend to develop the Persica Solar Energy Center — a 247‑megawatt solar array they say would bring an estimated $336 million in capital investment and roughly $31 million in ad valorem tax revenue over the life of the project — but residents urged the board to delay approval while concerns about notification, setbacks, wildlife, and decommissioning are addressed.

Casey Sanders, the county planning and zoning official, said the application before the board is an appeal of a Planning Commission denial; he also noted county staff’s recommendation was approval. NextEra senior project developer Allison McLeod presented the company’s plan, saying the project would place improvements on roughly 1,600 acres within a larger voluntarily leased footprint and that construction could begin in early 2026 with commercial operation in 2027. “This project itself, is gonna be a 247 megawatt, solar array. The capital investment for this project is, $336,000,000,” McLeod said.

NextEra repeated several commitments and…