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 technical points in public session: the arrays would sit on driven posts rather than concrete pads, poles would be vibrated about 6 feet into the ground, the company contracts require decommissioning and site restoration, and the company has performed environmental surveys and engaged with state and federal agencies (US Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and state historic preservation officials).

Company environmental scientist Cody Dingham described species and nest surveys and noted federal protections for eagles: “The regulatory requirements for an eagle nest … is 660 feet,” he said, adding NextEra would map and avoid active nests.

Residents and landowners delivered extended testimony in both directions. Julianne Davis, a nearby resident, said the project “will, in no uncertain terms, directly negatively impact the well‑being of our families, our livestock, our property, and its value,” and asked the board to table a decision for at least 180 days so pending state bills and additional information can be considered. Several other residents raised questions about notification, property values, insurance availability, and the risk of fire or hazardous materials — especially if battery storage were added later. NextEra said the present application does not include battery storage.

Landowners and local school officials urged approval. Porter Consolidated Schools board member Brenda Livesey and other local residents said lease payments and new ad valorem revenue would directly benefit local schools and could improve the district’s bond capacity. A number of participating landowners and speakers said leasing provided steady, long‑term income for rural owners who had limited agricultural alternatives.

Planning staff told the board the application complied with county requirements for a conditional‑use permit and that NextEra provided public notice under Oklahoma statute. The applicant also presented letters of support and said it had hosted an open house. The Planning Commission, however, had recommended denial; the disparity between staff and commission recommendations formed part of the board’s deliberations.

After several hours of technical questions from commissioners — about panel construction, fencing, setbacks, decommissioning obligations in leases, construction haul routes and noise from inverters — the commission did not take an immediate final vote on the appeal. Commissioners said they will reframe the agenda item for a future meeting to ensure the public has time to review required materials and that county staff and the developer provide requested clarifications.

Why it matters: The project would be one of the largest private clean‑energy investments in the county and would alter land use across hundreds of private properties. It presents tradeoffs between local tax revenue and concerns from nearby residents about land use, environmental impacts and long‑term site restoration.

What’s next: The board asked for additional documentation and said it will place the item on a future agenda after staff compiles outstanding studies, clarifies setbacks and decommissioning guarantees, and confirms what is and isn’t included in the current conditional‑use application.