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Ellis County approves Tallgrass solar conditional use permit, developers pledge bonds and limits
Summary
The Ellis County Commission voted 3–0 to approve the Tallgrass Solar conditional use permit and related contribution agreements after developer presentations and public comment. Developers said the project is limited to a 175‑MW nameplate and will post decommissioning bonds; commissioners noted the permit ties to private landowner agreements.
The Ellis County Commission approved the Tallgrass Solar conditional use permit (resolution 2026‑11) and related contribution agreements in a 3–0 roll‑call vote on June 2, 2026.
County staff and the applicant presented background and technical constraints before the vote. Steven Link, representing the developer, said the project’s capacity is capped by interconnection studies: “We cannot exceed that. . . . We are not looking to expand this project in any way, and we cannot, without substantial investment, study, time, resources.” The developer also told the commission the CUP application covers specific parcels and that any future change of land would require a separate CUP and public notice.
The developer and consultant assured commissioners they have a decommissioning plan and bonding to secure site restoration. A project geotechnical representative told the commission: "What that study found was that there was no impacts given our setbacks from all the utilities." County staff explained the developer will post bonds with the county to ensure removal and restoration if decommissioning is required.
Supporters and landowners told the commission the project will bring tax and economic benefits. One landowner summarized the negotiated payments: “The commissioners can be proud of accomplishing this impressive $1,100,000 in payments increasing annually for the 1st 10 years.” County staff clarified the timing and structure of payments: parts of the negotiated pilot payments will come later when the project begins producing, and some grant payments are due on completion of a road‑use agreement.
Commission discussion emphasized that a CUP is an approval of a use between a private industry and a private landowner and that county conditions focus on land‑use and public impacts rather than the private lease terms. After motions and a roll‑call vote — Nathan Leiker, Neil Younger and Michael Burgess voting yes — the commission approved the CUP and contribution agreements.
What’s next: the county will finalize the road‑use agreement and follow the developer’s submittal of required site plans, stormwater controls and any additional assurances previously discussed with planning and zoning.
