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Emery County approves Level III permit for PacifiCorp's Clawson I solar and battery project after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing with residents’ concerns about access, wildlife and battery safety, the Emery County Commission approved a Level III conditional use permit for PacifiCorp’s Clawson I solar generation and battery energy storage project on roughly 1,200 acres; the permit passed 2–1.
The Emery County Commission voted Sept. 16 to approve a Level III conditional use permit for PacifiCorp’s planned Clawson I solar generation and battery energy storage project after hearing presentations and public comment.
Spencer Martin, contractor to PacifiCorp, described the proposal as an approximately 1,200-acre project on the west side of Highway 10 north of Rock Canyon Road with three possible grid interconnect locations. Jeff Wagner told the commission the development would be centrally assessed by the State of Utah and would increase the county tax base; the project was referred to in the hearing as roughly a $300 million investment with about $200 million attributed to battery storage.
During public comment, several nearby residents and stakeholders raised concerns about road access, fencing and setbacks for adjacent properties, dust control and panel leaks, ambient heat effects, the potential for battery fires or leakage, and impacts to wildlife and cultural resources. J. Mark Humphrey spoke in favor of the project and asked that existing infrastructure be protected. Cory Worwood, the county’s Weed/Mosquito supervisor, asked that any equipment brought into the area be weed-free.
Commissioner Dennis Worwood moved to approve the Level III conditional use permit; Commissioner Jordan Leonard seconded. Commission Chairman Keven Jensen voted no; the motion passed 2–1. The public hearing had been opened earlier in the meeting and closed before the vote.
The commission’s approval clears the county-level land-use permit; the project remains subject to any state-level permitting and centrally assessed property determinations by Utah state authorities.
