Clearway/Swan Solar LLC Project
I want to address several concerns related to this project.
First, I can speak only for myself, not for the other Commissioners. I want to make it clear that I do not support solar projects in general, and I am also not in favor of wind or turbine projects. In my view, there are better approaches to alternative energy.
Because Bates County is not zoned, the company can lease land from private owners for this purpose, and the Commission has no authority to stop it. Private property rights are protected.
Bates County was selected tor two reasons:
Bates County was selected tor two reasons:
- Bates County is not zoned
- The location is close to an existing distribution system at Evergy's La Cygne power plant, with power lines running north and south.
The Commissioners were presented with three options for distributing funds related to Bates County and the two directly affected townships, West Point and Homer. These are the only taxing jurisdictions directly involved in the project.
Option One: State Assessment of Project Value. Under this option, the State would assess the project's value. As a result, funding would be distributed among all school districts in Bates County, as well as the Appleton City, Archie, and Drexel school districts, in addition to Bates County and the West Point and Homer townships. The State would retain its portion and send the remaining balance to Bates County for distribution to those taxing jurisdictions. The amount being $1,016,067 as the projected amount.
Option Two: Local assessment of the Project Value. Under this options the County Assessor would asses the project's value. As a result, funding would be only for Bates County, West Point and Homer townships and the taxing jurisdictions within, which Miami School is the only school to receive funds. These funds would be distributed accordingly. The amount being $78,713,489.
With these two options, the value of the project decreases each year by depreciation and there is no guarantee that funding would continue if the Project was sold to another Company or Utility. There are no formal agreements for protection. If it would be sold to another Utility, all power lines in their distribution system would be given money first.
Option Three: Chapter 100 Bonds. Under RSMo Statute 100 Bonding, the Commission can negotiate to receive an amount per rated capacity of the project, megawatts (MW). That is what we did and put in an annual escalation percentage rate to allow for additional funds. If the project is sold, the new Company must follow the Chapter 100 plan, thus guaranteeing continuing funding. The amount being $81,155,673 as a projected amount. Also, if the project increases in size, a new PILOT is implemented and revenue goes up.
If you have any questions, come talk with your Commissioners. We will discuss the plan with you.
Sincerely,
Jim Wheatley
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