Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Energy Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Morgan County extends Pawnee Solar permits to 2029 and approves road-use agreement
Summary
The Board approved three-year renewals for Pawnee Solar’s solar and battery special-use permits, extending both to May 16, 2029, and approved a road-use agreement and haul route. County staff noted Pawnee Solar has not yet begun construction and that original permit conditions remain in force.
Morgan County commissioners on Nov. 18 approved three-year renewals for special-use permits tied to the Pawnee Solar project and signed a road-use agreement for project haul routes.
Nicole Hay, Morgan County Planning and Zoning Department Director, told the board that Pawnee Solar has not yet commenced construction on the solar collector facility or its battery energy storage system and therefore requested extensions under county zoning rules. The board voted 3-0 to grant a three-year renewal for the solar collector permit (originally approved by Resolution 2023 BCC 19) and a three-year renewal for the battery energy storage permit (Resolution 2023 BCC 20), extending each permit through May 16, 2029. All conditions imposed in the original 2023 approvals remain in effect.
Public Works Director Bruce Bass presented a haul-route proposal and supporting documentation; the board approved a Road Use Agreement with Pawnee Solar LLC to govern construction traffic for the project. Chairman Jon Becker thanked company representatives for attending and answering questions.
Why it matters: The Pawnee project is permitted for up to 250 MWac of solar capacity under the original approvals; renewing the permits preserves the county’s oversight and required permit conditions while the developer seeks financing and begins construction steps. The road-use agreement sets conditions for heavy-haul traffic on county roads.
Details and proceedings: The board moved and approved each renewal by recorded motion. Commissioner Tim Malone moved to approve the solar-permit renewal; Commissioner Kelvin Bernhardt seconded. The motion carried 3-0. For the road-use agreement, Commissioner Bernhardt moved approval; Commissioner Malone seconded and the motion carried 3-0.
Next steps: The renewals simply extend the permit term; any further extensions or changes would be governed by county zoning regulations and remain conditional on compliance with the terms of the original approvals.
