The North Platte Planning Commission on Nov. 25 recommended approval of a conditional-use permit (CU25-008) for a commercial solar farm proposed by Premier Energy LLC and Jay Bull LLC at the intersection of Victoria Lane and East State Farm Road.

Planning staff (Judy) summarized the application and planning materials and said the project would tie into the North Platte Municipal Light and Water distribution system. Jeff Cook Coyle, identified as chief project development officer for Premier Energy, responded to multiple questions about ownership, interconnection, economics and operations. Tony Miller, identified in the meeting as the utility manager for North Platte Municipal Light and Water, told commissioners that "there is no contract at this time" regarding a city purchase of the solar power.

Key technical and operational points discussed:
- The applicant told the commission the purchase and construction were contingent on several conditions: a conditional-use permit, an interconnection agreement, and an offtaker (a buyer for the generated power). Coyle said, “We were not gonna move forward without a conditional use permit. An interconnection agreement with the city ... We're not gonna proceed unless there's a clear path to interconnect to the city's electrical system and what we call an offtaker.”
- The applicant said the system’s major electrical components (inverters) would be sited and that their noise would be limited; Coyle said the company would site the inverters so that noise at a neighbor’s house would be 45 decibels or less. He also said there would be about 25 pieces of equipment (inverters) performing DC-to-AC conversion.
- The applicant said the whole farm’s life expectancy is roughly 40 years; inverters are likely to be replaced every ~15 years, and power-purchase agreements are commonly 25 years.
- A decommissioning plan was included in the application; commissioners discussed options for a bond or escrow to ensure funds are available to remove equipment at end of life.

Commissioners asked how any savings would affect municipal ratepayers; one commissioner noted a local bulletin article saying costs might be higher and cautioned that statements that "savings will benefit all rate payers" were claims by the applicant. Tony Miller said the city has no contract at this time and that interconnection costs were estimated to be part of the system cost and would fall on the developer under the current plan.

After discussion and the applicant’s answers, Commissioner Bain moved to recommend approval with standard conditions that the applicant meet all elements of the application and applicable code; Davies seconded. The motion passed, with the meeting record stated as "the motion passes 8 to 1." The commission noted the item will go to City Council (meeting date read in transcript as "December '30").

Why it matters: Commissioners flagged several issues that will be relevant for council consideration, including the absence of a purchase contract, possible effects on municipal rates, decommissioning assurance (bond or escrow), insurance and noise mitigation. The commission recommended approval to allow the council to consider the full package and any additional conditions.

Next steps: The commission’s recommendation and application materials will be transmitted to City Council for its consideration.