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PSC grants one-year extension for 1.5 MW Westminster community solar project
Summary
The commission granted Westminster Solar LLC a limited waiver of COMAR and extended the operational deadline for the 1.5 MW Westminster community solar project in Carroll County to Jan. 18, 2027, citing county permitting delays; staff recommended approval and the motion passed unanimously.
The Public Service Commission on Oct. 8 granted Westminster Solar LLC a one-year extension to make its 1.5 megawatt Westminster community solar project in Carroll County operational, extending the deadline to Jan. 18, 2027.
Michael Dean, representing commission staff, told commissioners the company’s request cites permitting delays in Carroll County and that staff recommends a limited waiver of COMAR 20.62.03.04(c) to allow the extension. Dean noted the project is eligible for the federal investment tax credit under the 5% safe-harbor method and that this is the project’s second extension after a 2024 grant.
Max Cook, who appeared for Westminster Solar, introduced developer representatives and deferred to Nick Leffner of Kimley Horn, the civil engineer of record, who said the delays result from multiple county review agencies providing conflicting requests during final review—examples included requirements for right-of-way dedication to the State Highway Administration that were not requested at concept review. "We did explain that this is a community scale project," Leffner said, adding that the site is in a zoning district that permits solar and did not require a special exception.
Commissioners asked whether any outstanding interconnection or utility issues remained; Cook said there were none and that the delays were solely county permitting. Chair Hoover described the permitting process as burdensome in some cases, saying it can feel "almost like guerrilla warfare" when requirements change mid-process. With staff's recommendation on the record, Chair Hoover moved to grant the limited waiver and extend the operational deadline; Commissioners McLean, Linton and Suchman voted aye.
The commission’s action allows Westminster Solar additional time to secure final permits and complete construction, with staff indicating the project expects to finish construction by December 2026 under the extended schedule.
