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Planners weigh reclamation bonds, buffers and a county survey as solar projects press the county
Summary
Commissioners discussed requiring upfront reclamation bonds and buffer zones for large solar projects, and approved running a countywide survey (mailed to PO boxes with an optional QR code) to measure public support and gauge whether solar revenues should be used to lower property taxes.
The Emery County Planning and Zoning Commission spent the largest portion of its April meeting discussing criteria for prospective large-scale solar and storage projects, including reclamation bonds, buffer distances from neighboring properties, and a public survey to guide a county recommendation to commissioners.
A county stakeholder recommended two specific changes: require an upfront reclamation bond for construction and define buffer distances so projects do not encroach on unwilling adjacent property owners. "I think that's something that ought to be done," the stakeholder (representing irrigation interests) said, and a staff member noted that Utah recently passed a law requiring bonds up front for such…
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