Commissioners approve Sarco/Batis 244 MW solar development agreement and final plan for Beatty-area site

Planning staff presented the Sarco/Batis solar development agreement and final development plan for a roughly 244‑megawatt solar energy facility on approximately 800 acres north of Beatty. Principal Planner Kiana Medici described the project as fixed and tracking arrays on two parcels and said the final plan and decommissioning materials were included in the packet.

Members of the public pressed the board on several issues: long‑term decommissioning and bond protections if the project is abandoned, how water would be sourced and dust/air impacts during and after construction, and whether the project would serve Beatty or feed broader grid needs. “If they don't have a bond to protect us in 28 to 30 years, I wouldn't do it,” said Anthony Greco. Planning staff and commissioners pointed to specific provisions in the development agreement addressing decommissioning, environmental protections and required disclosures; Commissioner Jabbour emphasized the project is on private land and not connected to the grid. After deliberation Commissioner Jabbour moved to approve items 7 and 8 (development agreement and final plan) and the motion carried 4–0 with one commissioner absent.

The board vote authorizes staff to proceed under the terms of the agreement; the record and project backup identify bond and environmental provisions intended to protect the county if the facility later is abandoned or removed. The county's planning department noted the preliminary development plan had been approved earlier (Jan. 21, 2026), and this hearing constituted the second public hearing necessary under county code for a Tier‑1 solar project.