The Marshall County Commissioners took action on a resolution that pertains to an economic development agreement, a road use agreement, and a decommissioning agreement with Tamarack Solar Energy, LLC.
The resolution states that Tamarack Solar is contemplating the development and construction of a solar-powered electric generating facility in the county which will have a rated capacity of about 150 megawatts. The completion of the project will allow the company to invest up to approximately $250 million in equipment and real estate improvements in the county.
According to Hannah Clandening from Barnes and Thornberg, the decommissioning agreement reflects the standard requirements outlined in the county’s ordinance and details on bond or financial insurance for decommissioning in the agreement. The amount of the bond will be 125 percent of what the estimated decommissioning costs are at the time of evaluation and will be re-evaluated every three years.
A road use agreement is part of the resolution which details a traffic management plan and requirements for pre-construction evaluation of current roads and haul routes of the project, identifying routes that need to be improved prior to construction, and post-construction repair. A bond is also included.
The economic development agreement is included which adds benefits to the county. A payment will be issued in case there is a law that changes that would change the assessed valuation of the project as well as a guaranteed minimum assessed value in case the actual assessed value is less than what is expected.
A tax abatement is not expected to be requested.
County Attorney Jim Clevenger explained that the intent of the agreements is to make sure that the county is not spending money as a result of this project. The company would be responsible for roads surrounding the project.
The commissioners approved the resolution, but the road use agreement will be further reviewed by Highway Department Superintendent Jason Peters. The vote of the commissioners was 2-1 with Commissioners Michael Burroughs and Kevin Overmyer in favor of the vote with Commissioner Stan Klotz opposed to the vote.
