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Ellis County approves Tallgrass Solar CUP, rejecting delay request
Summary
After public questions about water and decommissioning, the Ellis County Commission approved CUP 2543 and a contribution agreement for the Tallgrass Solar project; county staff estimate initial annual PILOT payments around $1.1 million and total revenues of roughly $11.5 million over the first decade.
The Ellis County Board of Commissioners voted 3–0 to approve Tallgrass Solar Development's conditional use permit (CUP 2543) and the associated contribution agreement, closing a multi‑meeting review and public comment period.
County Administrator Darin Myers summarized the county's expected revenue from the project, saying the county would receive approximately $6,285 per megawatt — “about $1,100,000 in the first year,” with a 1% annual increase over ten years that staff estimate could total roughly $11,508,433.80 if the project proceeds to commencement. Attorney John T. Bird submitted a letter of protest on behalf of landowner Keith Pfannenstiel and asked the commission to postpone action pending open‑records requests; the commission proceeded to a vote.
Members of the public raised infrastructure concerns. Mike Werth asked whether the project could expand onto additional property and whether permits for battery storage would be sought, and he asked who would be responsible for water‑line impacts. Developer representatives from ibV Energy, including Steven Link, responded that “this project cannot grow from here without years of study” and that they have no present intentions to add battery storage. Link also said the company carries liability coverage and that a decommissioning plan is in place.
Commissioners emphasized that any future expansion or additional infrastructure would require a separate CUP. Commissioner Michael Berges framed the CUP as a landowner‑driven permit and said the approval does not prevent landowners from making different choices with their property. Commissioner Berges moved to approve the resolution and contribution agreement; Chair Neal Younger seconded the motion and the board approved it by voice vote.
The approval also includes reference to a PILOT schedule discussed during the presentation; county staff noted some upfront and staged grant payments will be realized in later budget years contingent on road‑use and other agreements. The county will revisit implementation details as the project moves toward construction.
