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Developers pitch 773‑MW Bluebird Solar project straddling Johnson and Parker counties
Summary
Allium Renewable Energy presented plans for Bluebird Solar — roughly 773 megawatts on about 5,000 acres — saying major construction would begin after final investment decisions and noting decommissioning and fire‑safety plans; commissioners asked for follow‑up details.
Allium Renewable Energy representatives on March 23 gave Johnson County Commissioners a first public briefing on Bluebird Solar, a large utility‑scale photovoltaic project they said would sit on roughly 5,000 acres split between Johnson and Parker counties and produce about 773 megawatts of daytime generation.
Bill Fintac, an Allium representative, told the court the company seeks to minimize impacts on neighboring homes and will offer landscaping and other mitigation where the project approaches residential areas. Logan Arendt, Allium's director of development, said the project area includes long‑term agreements with landowners and that construction activity would be concentrated in 2027–2028 with commercial operations targeted for late 2028 if financing and permits follow their schedule.
The developers described the panels, inverters and transformers that connect to the local transmission system and said the facility would connect by a short transmission spur to an existing 345‑kV line on the Johnson County side. Arendt said the company estimates the project could serve the daytime needs equivalent to as many as 250,000 homes and that construction would create about 500 short‑term jobs; he also noted operations would require only a small permanent staff.
Commissioners pressed the presenters about water use, vegetation and fire safety. Fintac said panels would be cleaned primarily by rain and that vegetation would be managed to minimize fire risk, with access roads serving as fire breaks and coordinated training and access agreements with local fire departments. He said decommissioning obligations are written into land leases and that equipment is designed for removal without permanent foundations so land can be returned to agricultural use after the lease term.
The developers said they prefer a payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑tax (PILOT) or similar predictable arrangement rather than a traditional abatement, and they pledged continuing communication with the county and neighbors. Commissioners asked for more detailed site plans, vegetation‑management protocols and emergency‑response coordination; Allium said it would provide follow‑up materials and remain available to answer questions.
The presentation drew no formal action; the court did not vote on incentives or agreements during the session.
