Joanne Snarski, siting specialist for FSEC, told the council the governor’s office notified Chair Kurt Beckett on Dec. 2 that the Carriger Solar site‑certification agreement had been approved by Governor Ferguson and became effective Dec. 15, 2025. Snarski said the certificate holder and its contractors are now developing schedules and drafting plans, and FSEC staff will meet with them to begin discussing implementation.

Why it matters: Site certification gives a developer an integrated, statewide permitting pathway under FSEC and marks a procedural threshold that allows construction schedules, mitigation planning and tribal engagement to proceed. Snarski said staff and the certificate holder will coordinate on the items noted in FSEC’s press release, including tribal engagement.

Details: Snarski said FSEC received notice of the executed agreement and that the certificate holder is advancing planning and contractor coordination. “The agreement was executed by both parties and became effective on 12/15/2025,” she said. The council recorded the announcement during routine project updates and asked staff whether they had questions; Chair Kurt Beckett voiced appreciation for the clarity the governor’s decision provided and for planned tribal engagement.

Next steps: FSEC staff said they will meet with the certificate holder to discuss schedules and plans and to follow the tribal engagement process outlined by the governor’s office. No construction start date was given during the meeting.

Council action: The item was reported as an informational update; no council motion or formal action on implementation was recorded at the Dec. 17 meeting.