In a rather lengthy session held in the chambers of the Bates County Commission on Wednesday, a contract was inked to finalize the Swan Solar farm project to be located on the western edge of the county
The Bates County Commissioners along with attorneys and representatives of parent company Clearway Energy went over the final details outlining the terms of the Chapter 100 agreement that will insure that a portion of monies will stay local as opposed to being directed to and by the State.
"Without a Chapter 100 agreement, there's no guarantee that local schools, townships or anyone else would receive a substantial benefit whatsoever" said Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley in a recent interview.
With that, Clearway Energy affirmed that the deal made with Bates County is "unprecedented" and will "set the bar" for future negotiations as Clearway will be providing about $3 million annually to local entities as part of the the agreement as they will pay $3,200 per megawatt based on the plant's maximum 650 megawatt capacity "whether the sun shines or not".
The agreement includes a 30 year guarantee against unforeseen circumstances such as bankruptcy, sale or other major issues on behalf of Clearway. Likewise, the contract covers road use agreements and other necessary infrastructure related matter.
The Swan Solar project is a 4,000 acre, 650 megawatt power station that will connect to the grid via a substation to be located near the La Cygne power plant with construction slated to begin next month and while the project has been at the heart of much debate, we can be certain the infusion of windfall money will be quite welcomed.
First, the Miami R-1 school district will be receiving approximately $1.5 million annually for 30 years per the contract to which Superintendent Daniel Johnson stated he was "quite grateful" during the meeting.
Not to mention, Miami R-1 will get a 1.75% increase each year over the next 30 years as will all other entities listed below:
Note that numbers are closely approximate as estimates are based on last year's tax data
State of Missouri - $12,019
Bates County General Revenue - $105,122
Bates County Health Department - $32,330
Bates County Developmental Disabilities Board (BCI) - $53,683
Bates County Senior Services - $19,190
West Point Township - $142,075
Homer Township - $71,768
Miami R-1 Schools - $1,643,814
The other 22 townships plus the 2 special road districts in Bates County will each receive $12,000 a year for a period of 10 years. There will also be two payments of $500,000 to the county specifically earmarked for the purchase of two ambulances and other emergency services related needs.
Final contracts will be signed between Clearway and the Commission in early July. Payments will begin in 2028.
To note, the disbursements originally included an administrative fee of $208,000 to be paid to the County Clerk's office however, clerk Jami Page said she didn't need the money to "do what the office does normally anyway" and that amount will be divided amongst the recipients listed above.
During the meeting, Homer Township Trustee Brent Bettels made a plea to all present to set aside additional monies specifically for the cities of Amsterdam and Amoret. Barry Matchett with Clearway responded that they are working with both cities in terms of grants and other supplemental funding. More details regarding this conversation are expected in the upcoming June 3 commission report.
In coming days more information will be made available that will include details of the bond program as well as an explanation about tax levies- a crucial reason some of the above listed entities will receive monies from the project.
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