Commissioners review two MOUs including a 162 MW solar facility proposal

The county’s planning staff presented two memoranda of understanding: one for a 10,000‑square‑foot building addition at Homeland Manufacturing in Banner Commerce Park and another for the MPG solar project, an approximately 908‑acre development proposed on parcels in Burnside and Snowshoe townships that would generate about 162 megawatts of electricity.

Planning staff explained the Homeland MOU covers engineering review, inspection and developer reimbursement to the township and county for plan review—county approval of the MOU does not equal land‑use approval of the development plan. For the MPG solar project, staff showed site plans, stormwater and access details and noted the switchyard and substation would tie into an existing high‑voltage line.

David Brown, a representative of Energex Renewables, said much of the proposed solar site is on former strip‑mine properties and that the developer has an MPDES permit under technical review and a land‑development plan submitted to Centre County. Brown said the team is targeting a notice‑to‑proceed in November to begin tree clearing and that the best‑case commercial operation date is 2028, while acknowledging environmental and regulatory reviews are ongoing.

Commissioners and press asked about mitigation for reclaimed‑mine sites and construction timelines; the developer said standard design elements and coordination with regulatory agencies are under way. The board did not vote on an approval motion for either final land‑use decision at the meeting; the MOUs were presented for the commissioners’ information and to add planning items to the consent agenda as appropriate.