Developers present proposed 20,000‑acre Dora solar and storage project; county raises land-use and wildlife concerns

Gallatin Power representatives on Tuesday told the Roosevelt County Commission that a proposed Dora-area solar and energy storage project could encompass up to 20,000 acres, be in service by 2031 and pursue industrial revenue bonds that the presenters estimated would generate about $4.5 million in annual revenue for the county.

Adam Schumaker said the Dora location was chosen to serve peak demand at the crossroads substation and that the project would include substantial upgrades to that station as part of a larger 765‑kilovolt backbone. "A NEPA study was not necessary as there are no federal partners on the project," Schumaker said. Kirsten Eliasson described the proposal as "a large scale solar and energy storage project with up to twenty thousand acres involved" and told commissioners the company is working to secure a power purchase agreement.

Commissioners pressed presenters on local impacts. Commissioner Tina Dixon said she opposed taking productive agricultural land out of production and raised concerns about effects on ag‑dependent small businesses. Schumaker and Eliasson said a large portion of the acreage identified is not currently in high‑value production and that the project would include a restoration bond for end‑of‑life work, which Eliasson said is expected to be about 35 years after the project begins.

Wildlife and regulatory questions also came up. Schumaker identified the Lesser Prairie‑Chicken as a former concern that has been de‑listed and said the company did not believe a NEPA review was required; Dixon advised the presenters to be aware of the dune sagebrush lizard. Commissioner Roy Lee Criswell asked whether the developers had engaged the Roosevelt Soil and Water Conservation District; Eliasson said they had not and Criswell asked that the district be included in future consultations.

The presentation outlined potential county revenues and infrastructure upgrades but did not include requested details on land‑use agreements, specific parcel counts or a finalized power purchase agreement. Commissioners did not take action on the project at Tuesday’s meeting and requested that developers consult local stakeholders, including the Roosevelt Soil and Water Conservation District.

The commission will receive further information if and when Gallatin Power proposes formal agreements, bond requests or site‑specific plans.