The Public Service Commission on Oct. 22, 2025 approved the decommissioning plan for Pocomoke City Community Energy Initiative LLC’s 5-megawatt community solar project and directed the company to lodge a performance bond in the amount of $889,697 with the commission prior to the start of construction.

Roger Austin and a staff presentation explained that the decommissioning plan was submitted pursuant to Power Plant Research Program (PPRP) license condition 31 of the CPCN issued in case number 9740. PPRP reviewed the plan, accepted it and provided supplemental testimony accepting the plan and the estimated cost to implement it. The applicant proposed to secure the estimated cost with a performance bond in the amount of $889,697, one of the financial instruments the commission accepts to cover possible decommissioning costs if an owner defaults.

Commissioners asked whether Worcester County had a process to review decommissioning plans. Max Cook, representing the applicant, said the plan had been submitted to the county and that county officials indicated decommissioning review would be handled by the state: "they indicated that this was up to the state's review," Cook said. Cook also said the county was supportive of the project but did not have the administrative process to review decommissioning plans.

PPRP filed a letter indicating it did not oppose approval. On staff recommendation, the commission approved the decommissioning plan and directed the company to lodge the $889,697 performance bond with the commission before construction begins.