It's official: Deal signed for Swan Solar project in Bates County

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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Linn County KS denies needed permit for Bates County solar project

The much debated 650 megawatt solar farm to begin construction next month may be in jeopardy- read the story here https://www.linncountyjournal.com/post/county-moves-to-stop-power-lines-from-missouri-solar-project

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A Sign of the Times

This photo appeared on Facebook recently expressing the sentiment of a growing group of concerned citizens opposing local solar farms as well as the threat of data centers in Bates County.

As well, there are those who aren't concerned or otherwise have an opinion however, discussions are ongoing within the Bates County Commission chambers regarding how best to negotiate a Chapter 100 agreement with Clearway that will help insure some revenue stays local.

An update is expected from the Commission in the near future as the deadline looms for the agreement; construction of the 650 megawatt solar farm is expected to begin in July of this year.


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Commission continues to work through solar farm questions

May 13, 2026 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Kacie Robey, the Treasurer/Collector, and Carl Bettels, the Assessor, came in and sat down with the Commission.

Kacie spoke for both offices, questioning the motion Trent made to wave penalties on an individual’s taxes. He came in to pay his taxes and seen that a truck was taken off that should not have been and did not feel as if he should have to pay the late fees of putting the truck back on. Kacie stated that her office told him not to pay if he did not think it was correct, and he paid anyway. She also stated that the individual claimed that he was going to speak to John over the matter. John then informed Kacie and Carl that he did not have any say in that matter, as he did not vote on the situation. He left the decision up to Trent and Jim due to his friendship and did not want to be accused of favoritism.

Kacie showed them a paper trail that she had, feeling as if this was not a software or clerical issue because she seen the 2017 Dodge listed on the scrap receipt. Trent then explained that the scrap yard will note the vehicle that brought scrap in. Kacie then understood the issue.

John made the offer that going further, these offices need to join the meetings to which Kacie then stated that’s what she was requesting. She feels as if the offices need to have a say in these matters due to the guidelines they have to abide by. She stated in 2025 there were eight different occasions that resulted in waving fees and penalties, making it look like her office is the one doing so. She feels as if Carl and her should not have to babysit people to stay up on their taxes, pay them on time and check their assessment sheets to make sure the information is correct. She understands when there is a mistake made, they should own up to it, but when there are fees being waved that shouldn’t be, it is taking money from the schools and townships.

All of them agreed that it would be beneficial for everyone if these offices were present and think this should have been happening all along.

At 1:01 p.m. Trent Nelson made the motion to go into closed session to speak with the Missouri State Auditors per 610.021(17). John Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried.

At 2:02 p.m. John made the motion to go back into open session. Trent Nelson seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried.

May 18, 2026 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

John made a motion amending Resolution No. 12-0507 and Resolution No. 10-03-12 to reestablish the Enhanced Enterprise Zone Board and to modify abatement terms and eligibility requirements to the Bates County Enhanced Enterprise Zone Board in Bates County, Missouri. Trent seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried.

A Bid sheet for Adrian was revised for plastic tubes and sent out to the newspaper and several different culvert companies.

Ann Evans, the Secretary of New Home Township, came in and discussed the issues that are current within the Township. The Trustee has been difficult to reach, she says, and has some concerns about where the road grader keys are among other things. The road grader is believed to be residing at the Trustee’s last known residence. Ann cannot access the bank account or view anything to keep the township afloat while she tries to find others to join, as everyone wants to resign from their board member positions. She cannot review any of the bank statements either, as they are also being sent to the Trustee’s last known residence. She states that she does not want to be Trustee and asked how to get the Trustee off the board as Trustee. Trent explained the process and reassured her that he will speak to individuals that live in that township to see if there is any interest in wanting to join.

Ann plans to have some township meetings in hopes of lining out the current issues and adding people to the board that are motivated to get the township back into shape.

Kent Page, the new Road and Bridge Supervisor, came in during the meeting with some unrelated issues and Trent introduced them and Ann discussed a bridge off K Highway that needs some work. Kent had just recently seen this issue when driving by on the way to another issue that needed fixed and told her he would investigate it. Trent said that he believes that bridge had been previously patched but seems to need some more repairs.

Brent Bettels came in, asking the Commission how they arrived at certain agreements so he can have knowledgeable answers when he attends the township meeting later this evening. He also asked for clarification that there were also counter benefits ran of the Cost Benefit Analysis. John assured him there was and told him it came back almost identical.

Brent questioned one part of the document where they were explaining what would happen if they sold. He seen some things that he felt needed changed and asked the Commission to investigate it. Jim stated that this specific area was not speaking over land, just the panels but Brent was certain it meant the land so Jim read through and found where it said it was referring to the land.

Brent brought up another way to look at this entire situation, but Jim stated he didn’t have answers as the Commission had not viewed it from that perspective.

Brent asked about the meeting for June 3rd and asked who would be attending. John said that it should have been worded that it was for the entities that are dealing with this project.

He asked if they tried to negotiate different amounts with Clearway. John informed him that they had very specific asks and were told no. Clearway would not do anymore of a lump sum up front that they had originally planned for. Brent then pointed out that as inflation goes up, the interest rate is going to be so far behind by the end of the thirty-year period. Jim and John spoke on how Jim tried for a decent escalator. They explained that it was a fight to get the one they currently have.

He then spoke about the General Fund and the percentage the County will be receiving and how they can use funds from the General Fund for certain things, but Jim and John let him know that it was not a possibility. Brent then explained it again in detail and John understood and followed what he was getting at.

Brent then pointed out the money they are missing out on giving the townships and the schools by doing a Chapter 100 Bond. John then pointed out that there was small price to having the surety of the bond. Brent then questioned some missing information on the revenue side.

Jim said that there is no Road Use Agreement, but Brent stated that he was told from Josh and Barry that they were expecting to pay a certain set amount on roads and such, to which John agreed and said Brent was correct and stated that the Commission fully expects them to pay.

Jami Page, the County Clerk, joined the meeting and asked the Commission about the Administrative Fee. Jim stated that half was to Road and Bridge and the other half to the Clerk’s Office. She asked what her office was going to be taking on, that was extra that she would need compensation for. Jim told her that there are potentially more checks and such to be written and that the money was there as a “just in case” her office did more. Jami stated that she doesn’t need compensation for writing a few extra checks and in her opinion, she’d rather see that money go to the township. She then asked about the portion that said the Tax Rates were going to be the same from 2025-2057. She asked about the fluctuation that happens and asked for clarification.

Trent then spoke over some numbers with Brent.

After Brent left the Commission had a discussion and John made the motion to remove the Administrative Fee the County would receive, to increase the total the taxing entities will receive. Trent seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.

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Bates County Commission: Solar discussions continue to heat up

May 6, 2026 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Jami Page wrote a bid for the audit and presented it to the Commission. John Gray made the motion to have Jami proceed with putting the audit out for bid. Jim Wheatley seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. Trent Nelson was absent for the vote. The bid will be opened on May 27th at 10 a.m. Jim Wheatley told Jami and John that he has heard several complaints from other elected officials about the HR Company the county hired. They think that this company is going to take over the HR functions for the county. John asked Jim which elected officials were complaining but Jim wouldn't say. Jim asked Jami to email the proposed personnel policy to all elected officials and explain to them that this company was hired to revise our current policy and to provide sexual harassment training. They are not taking over HR services. The County Clerk's Office will continue their HR duties. At 1:34 p.m. John Gray made the motion to go into closed session per 610.021(1). Jim Wheatley seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. Trent Nelson was not present for the vote.

At 2:23 p.m. Trent Nelson made the motion to go into open session. John Gray seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. Chad Wiley, Brent Bettels and Brandon Neider came in to touch base and asked if the Commission could give an update on the Clearway Solar Project. Brent asked the Commission to lead first as he has a list of questions and would like to give them the opportunity to maybe answer them first.

Jim told him that they just had a discussion with another company who is reporting back with a new proposal. He seen a few places to add some questions and negotiations that the Commission did not have listed and are going to wait and see what they say.

Brent asked what those specific topics looked like, that had not been in there previously, and Jim said that one of them is sirens and Clearway working with the City directly themselves. They have been in contact with the Mayors of the cities, getting ideas of what they need and coming up with an amount for them and go from there. Brent said that he was aware that Rob, the Mayor of Amoret, had been in contact and had given him some topics that would be beneficial to Amoret. Things like a Community Center, reroofing and sirens. Jim stated that he believes that taking these concerns and topics to the council and the mayor of the city will be more beneficial. He explained that the Commission getting involved might make these companies question if they are taking care of the towns or trying to take care of their portion of things. Brent reminded him that he said that same thing before, let the two towns deal with their own side of things but have a coordinated effort from the Commissioners as well.

Jim said if it comes to the Commission, it will become a taxation issue. Brent asked why it would become a taxation issue and Jim explained that it must be divided out among other entities so it’s best if the town deals with these matters on their own. Brent agreed and said let the Community Betterment Agreement be done by the cities and it would be incorporated into the Chapter 100 Bond as an exhibit or something of that matter. Brent then had a question about the bond. He reminded the Commission they he had previously mentioned he didn’t feel the need to keep coming back here if the PILOT payment was going to be distributed among the taxing entities but had heard rumors that it might have been changed so he came back. Jim reassured him that is how it is going to be divided out.

Chad asked if there were more than one Community Betterment Agreement and Jim reminded him that each city will have their own, from what he is understanding. Chad was unsure if there was going to be just one agreement that covered both cities. He also wanted to make sure that all of the negotiations that were to be an exhibit on the bond will be previously negotiated before they sign, to which Jim reassured him that was correct. John then mentioned that the Commission has nothing to do with the towns Community Betterment Agreements. Brent wants to make sure that these are written in the Bond, that way a year later they don’t halt all agreements, but Jim stated that both cities will have exhibits inside the Chapter 100 Bond. Jim asked among the group if he was correct and Brent asked if he could verify that with Clearway. He also asked if the Commission had spoken to any other counties about how they did things. John said yes and Jim stated that he had made a phone call to Cape Girardeau. Brent brought to light that there were agreements put in bonds with other counties that if a public utility were to purchase the solar farm, it automatically starts as property tax. Jim said that he thinks he finally found that spot he’s talking about, and it is in there, but Brent asked him to verify and make sure.

Brent stated that the Commission should roll it to property tax if they don’t get setbacks or anything else that benefits the people. If they get nothing in return, why not do that? He then asked about the Cost Benefit Analysis that he spoke over previously and recommended MarksNelson for that to which Jim stated that he believes that the Commission is looking into doing that and he would check and make sure. Brent said knowing this information would be very enlightening to see. He spoke with Miami and got good information as to where this money could go for them and help them excel. He says this is something he is going to stand firm on receiving as Clearway knows what the Cost Benefit is, already.

Chad then mentioned if they go belly up, they should be certain to have already had it set in stone the amount they get is already given, instead of waiting for it over the 20-year period. He knows that is not a certainty but at the chance that it happens; the county is covered.

Brent agreed and explained that Clearway is looking at it as a savings since they will not have to pay the millions in sales tax with Chapter 100 Bonds in place. They’re saving roughly 32 million just in the first four years, which is why they are listening to wants and needs of the town and doing things to better the city. If they must spend a portion of that savings to still save money in the end, they’ll do it.

They then spoke about the berms that are being requested that Clearway was not necessarily on board for and have now caught wind that they are looking into how much that is going to cost. Chad asked when that conversation happened and John reminded him that in a previous meeting they asked the Commission to present a list of things they want the Commission to fight for but Chad was only confused because when he spoke to Josh at the meeting in Miami, he made it seem like the berms were not going to happen.

Brent asked the Commission to stay on Clearway, as they play the broke card and use the excuse that they don’t have the money for this or that. They have a lot of money for these things and can approve all these requests and still have savings left over, rather than paying millions in property and sales tax.

Chad asked, just out of curiosity, if there was any way they could find out what’s listed on the Community Betterment Agreement that way they aren’t double dipping and ask for something that has already been listed. Jim says that he has not seen any Community Betterment Agreement, as the cities are dealing with that alone. Chad just wanted to look and see what’s on the list, as he believes its small-scale money compared to what they allocated to spend.

Brent then pointed out that the berms will not be on the Community Betterment Agreement. That is something that the county will have to fight for. Jim said that they will have to set it up and see how much per property that would be. Brent then mentioned that the townships/landowners don’t have luxury of a Community Betterment Agreement and are really limited on what they can ask for, that’s why he wants the Commission to fight for this on the Bond and fight for things that will help the landowners. Brent is under the impression they can’t form a Community Betterment Agreement, Chad thought maybe so, and Jim said he had no idea but there might be a good chance that they can. Brent asked if Jim could ask GilmoreBell about that. John said that he is unsure but thinks they cannot. He stated that after they offered all this stuff, he doesn’t think they’d extend yet another offer of the sort. He states that, as Brent mentioned, they know what they’re making and what the townships are making and the townships are going to make bank. Brent says that they won’t do too bad, but Brandon says that it sounds like the townships could be compensated a little better. Brent stated again, the townships will do fine, but this isn’t earth moving compensation, by any means. He explained that he was thinking that it might be around $40,000-$50,000 a year. Chad stated that he believes the townships get .1082% of the pilot. Brent says all of this will help but they have millions that the townships aren’t even touching so if they can find ways to better the project for the township, then why not tap into the funds that we can’t even imagine they have allocated to spend.

Chad then asked if they do end up having the opportunity to have a Community Betterment Agreement, like the city, he wondered why John mentioned they wouldn’t be offered anymore. John explained that he didn’t say they wouldn’t be offered, he’s just unsure of how many they will offer. He doesn’t think they would be willing to offer one in addition to what the township is already getting. Chad then wanted clarification that the cities do not get anything except the Community Betterment Agreement.

Brent then brought up the Road Use Agreement that will be within the Chapter 100 Bond. He asked the Commission to tell them every time Clearway taps underneath that road, they should be charged for that and that fee will go back to the township. Brent has seen other counties do this, as well as MoDot or the Railroad, who do the same thing. Jim mentioned that he thinks that would go back to Road and Bridge and John said that would deal with zoning rules. Brent then reminds them that we are not zoned, so they would like to have this benefit. Jim said that he would talk to Steve and see if he could add that.

Chad asked if there have been any other towns that have spoken with the Commission over the Solar Farms and mentioned that they are trying to clear up rumors that have been spreading. Brent mentioned that he heard that Butler School District had asked for money from this and has heard this same rumor from several different sources. John said that he had not heard that, and Jim asked where that came from. Trent mentioned that someone had asked him about this same thing at the Clearway meeting and he, too, has not heard anything about that.

John then informed the group that the more money they put towards the Community Betterment Agreements, the less they can negotiate in the Chapter 100 Bond. Chad said that Clearway is once again poor mouthing, and Brent thinks that they have plenty enough money to do what they have asked for, such as the berms and everything that has been asked for in the Community Betterment Agreements with money left over. Brent asked the Commission to keep pushing for it because he knows they have the means to do this. He then pointed out that he knows some of these concerns are getting back to Clearway because they are now putting fescue around the panels to help prevent erosion. He was pleased to hear that but encouraged them to keep pushing on the topics that the Townships are asking for.

Brent then brought up Commercial vs. Agriculture taxing. He stated he would still like to see the Cost Benefit Analysis or at least the Commission review it and see what that looks like. Jim told him that he has called other counties, but no one would give him the information on the leasehold fixture values. Brent said that he spoke with Scott from Henry County, and they provided the information to him, valuing $20,000 an acre and asked him what the cap rate on these projects were and what they are doing. They discussed those numbers. Brent then mentioned that the Commission needs to make sure that there isn’t something in the bond stating that they can’t change the land from agriculture to commercial. He asked them to ask Clearway for the overlay that Josh promised they would provide. He thinks the overlay will take care a lot of the issues and concerns that the cities and townships have. Chad then mentioned that he was informed that the overlay will be changing rapidly throughout this process.

Christina Landis later joined and mentioned that she heard from the horse’s mouth that there are plans for a data center to be put on Shilo Ranch(?) and she was here to provide that information to the Commission and ask if they knew about this. She said she cannot provide the name of the person who told her this information but reminded them it came from the horse’s mouth. John, Trent and Jim quickly informed her that they had heard nothing about such matters. Brent seemed confident that a data center was not going to be happening, mentioning that the terrain of that property would be rather difficult to build on. He also pointed out that he’s not saying it won’t happen, but Clearway and NextEra do not have an interest in putting data centers anywhere, that’s not their focus.

Trent explained the taxation process, the way he understood, which led Brent to question some things on how Evergy is taxed vs. how Osage Valley is taxed. They tax Osage Valley on their Infrastructure, so Brent is wondering how they tax Evergy. He doesn’t want to make decisions out of fear and end up making things worse, pertaining to the State trying to money grab from this project. He then started crunching numbers and pointing out that large numbers that the County could have within the first number of years through property tax that is significantly more than what they will make the entire process. Jim questioned that amount and asked how much of that total they would receive because the state will get a lump sum out of it. Brent then told Jim how much the County would receive, but John stated those numbers aren’t accurate due to the sheet having just an estimated work up. Brent then reminds him that’s why he is asking for the Commission to speak with MarksNelson and get the Cost Benefit Analysis ran so they have the actual numbers and can look at both sides of the scale and make their decision accordingly. Jim then asked Brent if he understood what he was trying to say, if the state finds out this much money is coming from these projects, they are going to be asking for their part of it. Brent reminded him that the State already knows this is happening to which Jim pointed out that most are Chapter 100 protected. Brent agreed but explained that he truly believes that Chapter 100 isn’t the way to go, as he has now found out that other Counties are starting to regret doing them. Counties have now realized what they have missed out on money wise and realized they could have got more money in the first few years than they are getting for the entire project.

Jim asked how much the depreciation value was for the land assessment, so Brent just quickly summed up what he was trying to say instead. He told Jim that the county could receive more money in the first five years through property tax vs. the amount the county is going to receive over the entirety of the project if they go with the Chapter 100 Bond. He then stated this is why it is so important that the Commission ask about the Cost Benefit Analysis.

Trent asked and made sure that MarksNelson could for sure get that Cost Benefit Analysis, and Brent reassured him that is their primary consulting side of their business. Brent stated that he isn’t being argumentative, he is just looking out for everyone and wants to make sure that Commission looks at this from all sides so they can make the best decision for the County, that way they can’t look back and regret that they didn’t look at the other outcome and realize they lost out on millions. He thinks just because other counties have done Chapter 100 Bonds, doesn’t mean that is what Bates County should do. Trent then asked if they chose to tax the operation, will there be Agreements that stay in place. Brent and Chad said no. Either way, Clearway is ready and prepared to build these projects here due to where the logistics of where power lines are located. Brent continues to encourage them to figure out the costs and numbers on each side of the equation, that way they can say that they did their due diligence and can say that truthfully and can explain why they went the route they chose. Jim stated that he is still worried about the state coming in and taking the money they receive from this if they decide to tax them instead of agreeing to the bond.

They then spoke about the project being too big to fail, even if the operation goes belly up with one company, another company will purchase it and run it for less money and still be able to stay afloat. Which then lead them to talk about there not being anything in the Chapter 100 Bond about who they can and cannot sell too, but no matter what they must honor everything that is set and agreed on in the bond. Brent then stated that they should investigate putting in there that they cannot sell to Evergy, as this will surely make Clearway stick to the program and not sit there at an idle under a straw buyer making a profit, as well as Evergy making money due to not being taxed. If they do sell to Evergy, he thinks they need to have it agreed in writing that it switches over the Property Tax.

Trent made a point to mention that John, Jim and himself are all wanting to do what best for everyone and what gets the most money. Brent said he understands and that they aren’t coming in to beat anyone up, they just want to make sure there is progress on their concerns and answers to their questions. Chad stated that he wants to make sure that all the data is being evaluated and look through thoroughly that way the right choice is made and was made by an informed decision.

Brent brought up the berms and setbacks and such that they are asking the Commission to fight for, for the township. He mentioned that they are coming in with a set amount that they cannot go over, and they of course are going to try and keep as close to the low end of that amount so they are going to say no to a lot, but if the Commission pushes a little, Brent is confident that they will eventually give. They have the funds; they just don’t want to spend them if they don’t have to. Chad asked the Commission not to become convinced that they Clearway doesn’t have the money to do some of the things that they are asking for.

Chad then asked who he should contact to check the progress of the Community Betterment Agreements. He said that he doesn’t like to keep coming back into the office and asking when the Commission doesn’t know the answer, since they are being negotiated directly between Mayor(s) and Clearway.

May 11, 2026 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Kacie Robey, with the Treasurer/Collectors Office, came in and explained to the Commission what Governmentor was requesting of her office and Carl Bettels, the Assessor’s Office. They are now wanting payment up front, but Kacie negotiated back and forth. They have now agreed for the payment be put into an escrow, where there will be two payments dispersed to Governmentor for each of these offices as the process begins and ends with switching over the data of the county to Ulrich, the new software.

The first payment is due May 14th, but that strikes an issue, as this was such late notice. The check will now more than likely need to be hand delivered to their drop box in Kansas City.

Jim asked if a motion was needed for Kacie to receive the check she needed, and with being unsure he said he would check with Jami.

Kacie came back in and gave some updated information to the Commission over the Bid Proposal from Governmentor. She feels as if she should just write the entire amount owed for the escrow, since these offices’ completion dates are a month apart. Jim says to get everything lined up correctly so she can get it paid and asked what Hugh Jenkins had said about all of this. He says that there isn’t much they can do since there was nothing in their contract from 1997 stating anything about switching and releasing data. He called and made sure that the full amount was not going to be distributed, just so he can be sure to finish the job before getting the full amount.

John asked Kacie what the full amounts were and she informed him that the Assessor's Office would be $29,070.00 with a completion date of July 15th. The Treasurer/Collectors Office came to $28,829.30 with a completion of date of August 15th.

Chaz Needham came in and discussed an issue he discovered with the Assessor’s Office. He visited the Assessor's Office to pay his balance and discovered that there was a 2017 Dodge that had been wrongfully taken off his assessment. He stated that the only truck that was supposed to be taken off was a Ford Ranger that he scrapped in 2023. When he requested that truck be taken off, he was asked for proof, so he presented them with the receipt he had from the scrap yard. On that receipt it also listed the make and model of the vehicle that hauled the scrap to the yard, so they chalked it up to being removed due to that information of the 2017 Dodge being listed. Chaz also stated that the lady in the office admitted that it was wrongfully taken off but continued to be hateful about the situation. John asked who he spoke with and Chaz stated that it was Meghan that he was spoke with.

Jim said that it was up to John and Trent to make the decision on what they think should happen from here. John stated that he doesn’t believe he should have had to pay all the late fees from adding the truck back to his assessment but was not going to vote or make a motion due to knowing Chaz for a long time.

Trent made a motion to wave the penalties for his 2025 taxes due to a computer issue. Jim seconded the motion. John did not vote. Motion carried. No opposition.

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Special meeting held to discuss zoning in West Point township

On April 28th, a special meeting was held by the West Point township board so local residents could debate the possibility of zoning, as townships have the option to add zoning independent of the county

The meeting, held at the Amsterdam Community building, was called on the heels of word that a 4,000 acre, 650 megawatt solar panel farm is going to begin construction just south of Amsterdam in July, prompting concerns over blight, pollution and fires, to name a few.

As the meeting progressed, discussions branched to other concerns however, the board worked to stay on track with zoning questions and upon conclusion of the meeting, the following points were made clear:

1. To approve zoning, it must be put on a Bates county ballot and a zoning decision will be exclusive to voters in West Point township.

2. To begin the ballot process, a petition is required that will need to be signed by a minimum of 5% of vetted registered West point township voters. It is reported that a petition is currently being circulated which will be turned over to the township board and eventually passed to the Bates County Clerk for validation.

3. There will be costs associated with putting a zoning question on the ballot. Those will include attorney fees and election fees required by the Bates County Clerk's office. At this time, those costs are unknown but will be revealed further along in the process. To note, proper ballot language is critical, which further necessitates the need for an attorney.

4. Specifically what is to be included in zoning must be decided upon. For example, will zoning only address new solar projects and expansions to existing solar projects? Data centers? There were concerns expressed that zoning could include many other things however, it appears those mentioned above will remain at the top of the list. Hence, the decision can be made to only put solar farms and data centers in the zoning proposal.

A few key points were brought out in the meeting:

1. Zoning will not affect (or stop) the current solar project(s). It would only have a bearing on future projects or possibly existing project expansions. Some will argue that a "good lawyer" can get around grandfather status but it is extremely unlikely.

2. It was said in the meeting that ordinances could be used instead of zoning however, in most cases these two things go hand in hand and at present, more information is being sought regarding if this is truly an option.

3. A question arose as to why the Bates County Commission has not already been working on similar county-wide zoning. The answer to that lies partially in the fact that such projects are relatively new in our region making foresight somewhat difficult. Just as in the case of the township, it would ultimately take action by the people of Bates County to present a qualified petition to get the ball rolling. 

4. Some at the meeting said they were never made aware the 650 megawatt project was coming and felt that someone should have notified them. Here's how it all transpired:

A deal was made directly between the solar company and the landowner and in some cases a non-disclosure agreement may have been signed; following that, the company in this case, did notify some adjacent landowners as part of their 'Good Neighbor' program; and during this time the company had been working with the Bates County Commission regarding easements, roads and other requirements. 

That said, no other notification to the public is legally or otherwise required. We will note that the Mid America Live website contains well over 25 news releases and references by the Bates County Commission directly related to the solar projects dating back to at least 2022. Most all the same articles were published in the News-Review newspaper and were made available through other media outlets including the Bates County Clerk Facebook page.

At this juncture, the West Point township board awaits the petition before taking further action. It also appears that more research and discussion is being done by members of the West Point community  as well.

Mid America Live will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available.

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Swan solar project meet and greet held last night

Clearway Energy held a public meet and greet on Monday evening at the Miami R-1 school to answer questions and provide information regarding the 650 megawatt solar farm known as the Swan Energy Center that will begin construction in July and located just south of Amsterdam, Mo. 

Find additional information from Clearway here https://www.swanenergycenter.com/


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Reports from the Bates County Commission

March 30, 2026 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

John spoke at the Capital on Tuesday the 24th and spoke over SB40 and Shelter Workshops across Missouri. He also visited the offices of Denny Hoskins, Rick Brattin, Dane Deihl and the State Auditors.

Trent and Jim attended the West Central Commissioners Association at the Capital on Thursday the 26th.

Shelly Harrison, Jami Page, Terry Bettels, Jean Furr, Danyelle Baker, and Kacie Robey with Bates County Women, met with the Commission to follow up on the signing on the American 250 Resolution.

Trent made a motion to put Resolution 26-001 in place for the 250th Celebration and Commemoration of the United States. John seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition. Jim signed the Resolution and pictures were taken.

The Commission sat down together and discussed recent concerns and caught up on some situations.

John explained a meeting with the Wall That Heals Committee that took place in the Commissioner’s Office that Jim had caught wind of and had concerns over it. Jim mentioned that he did not like people using the back door to enter the building, so John just wanted to clear the air that it was a meeting that had nothing to do with work related issues. John then asked Jim about a meeting between Meghan Robbins, Trent and Jim that took place after hours. Jim and Trent explained that she only stopped in to ask about the software and how it was coming along. John asked if the meeting was recorded and told them that it was an illegal meeting.

John then continued to speak on the Software and the bid process that took place. He also informed the other two Commissioners of information he had learned from different individuals. He learned that Ulrich has kept data from Counties that have left. John also has an issue with this as well, as that data belongs to the County. Jim pointed out that it does state in the Contract that Ulrich understands that the data belongs to the County, but John is worried because that did not stop them from holding data hostage from other Counties. Ulrich uses the same DOS system that the current software uses, but there is a significant increase in money totals and then the chance of losing the Counties data if they decide to leave. Trent said that he spoke to several individuals at the West Central Commissioners’ Association and heard nothing but good things, to which John agreed he has heard great things as well, but he wants to make sure the County is covered in case anything should happen, due to the bad things he has heard. Jim stated that he had talked to people about Vanguard but there wasn’t a side for the Collectors Office and he too heard that Vanguard had several issues when paired with another company and was warned to use a company that had both offices available.

John informed the Commission about the bid proposal from Vanguard that was sent to the Assessor’s Office before there was a bid placed and asked if the Commission wanted to send the Contract over to their Attorney so they could make sure it’s all ironclad over the issues they have. John doesn’t like that there isn’t a Termination of Cause in the Contract.

John threw out the idea that Ulrich sends us our data every six months. Jim thought that there was already something in place that had been backing up our data but was unsure. He then said he was going to call Ivan and see what the holdup was. John stated that he sent over a copy of the Contract to Ivan this morning and one to his attorney was well.

As Jim was on the phone with Ivan, John spoke to Trent about how he felt it was unprofessional that the Collector and Assessor received the bid for Ulrich on February 17th and waited until March 9th to come in and demand signatures and to move forward.

Jim got off the phone with Ivan and explained that Ivan stated that most of the companies will not put anything in a contract for releasing data.

The Commission agreed that it’s time to get away from Governmentor but wants the County to be covered in all areas before they switch. He wants to wait to hear back from the attorneys before making any moves. He stated that the money that is going to be spent is from the Taxpayers and he wants to make sure it’s being spent carefully.

Jim got a call from Sam Ulrich and they said they will be sending over an addendum to download and transfer data by Wednesday. They have rewritten the Contracts, and the Commission is going to review them.

Cathy Pittman came in and asked the Commission about the process of making some of her personal property into a personal burial site.

April 1, 2026 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Ellen Galab came in and addressed issues that she was having with the Assessor’s Office. The Commission was able to contact the DMV, make more sense of the situation and ease her mind until the Assessor's Office was able to distribute the waiver she needed, as their software was down. Jim went to Assessor's Office to check into the situation and there was nothing that could be done until the software was up and running again.

Christian Farris, with Viebrock, came in and presented a bid to the Commission. Great River had put out a bid for the Bridge #48500121 Project happening at County Road 3286. Great River expected another bid, but they never showed. The Commission was under the impression that Great River would be in attendance as well, so John called Zack Olivias and lined out the situation. Zach apologized, he was only planning on a follow-up call when the decision was made.

John made the motion to accept Viebrock’s bid. Trent seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.

Kacie Robey, with the Treasurer/Collector Office, and Carl Bettels, with the Assessor’s Office, came into follow-up on the Software Bid progression. Meghan Robbins and Carolyn Lake joined alongside Carl and was accompanied by Lonny Duckworth and Troy Hendrix.

Right off the bat, Jim called for a motion to be accepted to sign the contracts for the Software. There was no second motion made. Two voted Aye in favor and one not voting.

Jim reminded Carl and Kacie to get with Ulrich and updated them that Ulrich is still waiting for the NDA to be signed by iNetVisions, their attorney is still looking into things before they sign. He then went over the contracts, reading the part that needed to be updated before they signed where they state there is a three-year contract and a data release agreement.

Trent spoke over conversations he had with other Commissioners and how they talked highly about Ulrich. Kacie then explained that she and Carl did her research and strived for software that was going to benefit the county best, they didn’t just jump into this. They needed something that isn’t as outdated and better customer service. She explained that she enjoys Gene, he’s just getting old. Carl then chimed in and mentioned that it’s about time for Gene to start thinking about retiring.

Chris Gach joined the meeting to observe.

Contracts were signed and they are going to make copies.

John asked Kacie if he could have a few minutes of her time, to which she happily said yes. John mentioned that he had seen some of her comments on social media about the HR contract that was explained in previous minutes. He explained to her when the Commission spoke about the HR contract, when HR came in and met with the Commission and when the contract was signed. Kacie mentioned that she appreciated the information and thanked John.

Several individuals from West Point, Homer and Prairie Townships came in and spoke once more about the Solar Farms that are to be joining Bates County. Chris Gach was still in attendance, as well.

These individuals were here to push the questions they had asked the Commissioners’ at the last solar meeting. Jim and John both were told by Clearway that they would be in attendance, but they were a no show. The Commission informed these individuals that they had no agreement with the Chapter 100 Bonds, and they haven’t had many conversations to speed up the process, just emails here and there.

There were mentions of Ordinances the Commission could pass if they go fully taxable, since no one expects these Solar Companies to back out.

Brent Bettels pushed the Commission, again, to be the ones to reach out and make the move to get a meeting put in place so the citizens can ask questions directly and get the answers they deserve.

The Commission also mentioned that they have not seen any contracts that the Solar Companies are giving the landowners or the neighboring landowners, so contracts were presented and copied for the Commission and any other individuals that wanted one. Chad Wiley also shared a map of where the panels will be located. The map was also copied and passed around to any individual that wanted one.

They spoke over reclamation and decommissioning bonds, again.

John said he did speak with Clearway to try and rush them and that is when they said they would be in attendance.

It was asked why this had been hidden, to which John replied that it had been in the minutes on Facebook. Jim asked the individuals to spread the word and get questions that they might have, to which an individual stated that it should be the Southern and Northern Commissioners’ job. John stated that they had been.

It was also noted that Ivan Schrader testified in Court that he was an employee of these Solar Companies and is currently in a lawsuit in Henry County. John noted such matters and stated he was going to investigate that and thanked Stan Klinksick for the information.

Chad asked when the Commission would get a contract from GilmoreBell, John said they are waiting for the Commission to get back with them and hoped they’d know more next week.

They spoke over numbers and percentages, but the Commission cannot give them a certain amount due to not having that information from the Solar Companies.

Chad asked if the Commission could send out letters to inform citizens about the solar farm project and to get meeting dates figured out, but John felt as if it would be best for the Solar Companies to do that, but agreed to do so.

April 6, 2026 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner John Gray and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.

Rock Marquardt came in and spoke to the Commission over the Solar Panels that are soon to take place in Bates County. He asked about how the assessment on the land will work and how it will be determined and the money this will bring to Bates County. They discussed zoning and John reminded him that Townships are their own Government, so they have the right to zone. John reassured him that he is not settling for a small amount, he is pushing for the most they can get for the county.

Jim told him that he drafted a letter that is going to be sent out to the citizens that reside in the Townships that the Solar Farms are located in.

Trent informed him about Wednesdays meeting about the Solar Panels and encouraged him to join and gather as much information as possible.

John made a motion for a one-time bid for metal and plastic culverts. Trent seconded the motion. All were in favor. Motion carried. No opposition.

The Bid sheet will be given to the Newspaper and emailed to previous companies that have bid on culverts in the past.
Gary Tolle came in after receiving a call from Trent about trees in the courtyard. He had previously spoken to the Commission about trees, but they had projects in the works and now that those projects are finished, they are ready to add trees.

Gary also mentioned redoing the Larry Berry Memorial Tree upon his own offering because it seems to not be doing too well and needs redone. He will be doing a walkthrough of the courtyard and placing marker flags to see where trees would look best and to see how many are needed.

Brent Bettels came in and spoke to the Commission. Jim presented the drafted letter he made to send out to townships to him and spoke over that.

Brent then mentioned that he has been seeing an uproar on social media about these Solar Farms and warned the Commission that the group that is worried with them coming to bates county is growing and they will now be meeting every Wednesday at 3:30 with the Commission, as well as Brent coming in every Monday at 2:00 to prewarn the Commission of questions and concerns that will be displayed during Wednesdays meeting.

Brent spoke over ways that the Commission can negotiate with the Solar Companies. He believes they should demand several different things like trees to block the view of the panels, a certain amount of feet away from the road or residence and to be maintained regularly. John asked Brent how far away from the road or neighboring residence the panels should be placed and Brent felt they should stand firm on a thousand feet.

John asked Brent why these individuals are not advocating for themselves, to which Brent replied that the citizens of Bates County are relying on the Commissioners to fight these companies for the citizens as they have more power than these citizens would. John agreed and reminded Brent that each Township is their own Government, they can choose to be zoned, but Brent reminded him that the process of getting a township zoned could not be done in time before the project started.

Brent says he will sleep better at night knowing that he has tried to be part of the process that made this benefit everyone rightfully. He then presented a list of questions that will be asked at the upcoming meeting on Wednesday.

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Frequently asked questions regarding the Clearway Energy solar farm coming to Bates county

The following is taken from the Clearway Swan Energy project web page and provides some answers to questions asked during the Bates County Commission meeting this week

Who is Clearway Energy?

Clearway is one of the Top 5 largest renewable energy companies in the United States. We are creating clean energy jobs, investing in communities where we work and live, and producing domestic, reliable and affordable power. Our fleet includes 13 GW of natural gas, solar, wind and energy storage assets across 27 states - enough to power 2 million homes. Clearway Energy Group is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Denver, Houston, Phoenix, Princeton, and San Diego. For more information, visit clearwayenergygroup.com.

What is being built?

The Swan Energy Center is a 650-megawatt solar farm–which will generate the equivalent electricity to power 200,000 average homes.. This will include solar panels, an operations and maintenance building for our full-time staff, and a substation.

While we are aware of rumors that a data center will be built with the project, those claims are flase. There are no plans for a data center at Swan.

Where is the power going?

The energy generated by the Swan Energy Center will be delivered into the existing local transmission system, helping meet both local load and growing electricity demand across the region.

The project has a signed “power purchase agreement” with a tech company. This is a financial contract that settles cost and renewable energy credits but does not physically deliver power to any facility. The project instead will push electricity into the local Evergy grid for the benefit of all.

A helpful way to think about it is like water flowing through a pipe—solar energy enters the ‘pipe’ and blends with electricity from other sources. While some energy may be designated for specific customers, ultimately, anyone who draws power from the grid receives a mix from various generation sources.

Where will the equipment come from?

Domestic solar manufacturing has grown exponentially in the United States within the last few years, driven by a national push to on-shore American energy supply chains. Clearway partners with major American suppliers to source solar panels, racking systems and other materials for our sites, in compliance with current trade laws. At the Swan Energy center we will use the following equipment:

-Majority of solar panels from American manufacturer First Solar
-Additional solar panels from JA Solar, manufactured in Vietnam
-Tracking system from American manufacturer NextPower

Who is paying for the project?

Clearway Energy solar farms are entirely privately funded, bringing new investment into the communities where they are located.

No tax dollars go into building Clearway energy projects. Instead, the community gains new revenue through any local property, sales, or income taxes that the projects pay. This grows the budget for schools, first responders and other public services without increasing taxes for residents.

Do solar farms impact nearby property values?

There is no solid evidence that solar lowers nearby property values. In fact, a 2024 study from Loyola University, which assessed 70 utility-scale solar projects in the Midwest, found no consistent negative impact, and sometimes modest increases in property value.

The Swan Energy Center will be built to minimize any visual or noise impact. It creates no traffic, no odors, no light or noise pollution and no industrial runoff.

Additionally, the millions in new tax revenue brought to the county will be used to improve public services like schools and roads, helping make Bates County even more attractive for homebuyers.

How much noise will the solar farm produce?

Once the project is operating, the project will produce minimal noise. Solar panels create no noise at all. Inverters and transformers typically have a low hum like an HVAC system, but can only be heard close to the equipment and usually not beyond the fence line. If a project is a tracking system, then the panels and racking will move throughout the day, but again the amount of noise produced is minimal and typically not heard by surrounding areas.

 Do solar panels produce a glare?

Because solar panels are designed to absorb light and not reflect it and are typically coated with anti-reflective materials, they reflect roughly 2-3% of light hitting their surface. Studies indicate that solar panels share similar reflective qualities as a body of water and do not inherently introduce risk to transportation, aviation, or the casual observer.

What is the construction timeline for the Swan Energy Center?

The construction team will mobilize at the end of June 2026, and construction is scheduled to start in July. Construction is projected to continue until mid-year 2028.

There will be 450-500 workers on site from early 2027 to spring 2028. Our construction contractor, Blattner, will prioritize local hiring to the extent possible. Several long-term technician positions will be available once the project comes online.

What measures are being taken to prevent erosion during construction?

Several measures are being taken to prevent and address erosion:

-Third-party civil engineers have conducted a hydrology study to ensure there are no erosion issues expected on the site.
-Clearway’s construction contractor will file a Storm water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and will obtain a Permit for Discharges of Storm water from Construction Activities (Land Disturbance Permit). Clearway and our contractor are legally required to follow permit conditions and SWPPP details to protect water quality, such as installing silt fencing and using waddles upslope of water features, and best management practices to ensure stabilization and restoration.
-We have contracted with some of our land leasing partners to plant cover crops to stabilize the ground before equipment arrives.

What measure are being taken to reduce dust during construction?

Water trucks will be used to keep dust down on dirt roads during construction activities.

Will there be any road closures during construction? Is there a road agreement?

There are no road closures expected at this time. If any limited closures prove necessary, they will be near the substation for delivery of large components. Most deliveries will be made by 18-wheelers, with flaggers used for safety instead of closing roads.

Yes, a road use agreement will be established with Bates County to ensure proper coordination and minimize impacts on local roads during construction. Any public roads used during construction will be fully repaired and restored — paid for by Swan Energy Center, not taxpayers.

How does Clearway site projects responsibly?

Clearway strives to minimize potential impacts when siting projects by evaluating existing site conditions, land use restrictions, and state and federal databases and geographic information system (GIS) resources to look for protected species and habitat. Once a project site is selected, we conduct biological, cultural, and wetland resource studies to further understand the specific site conditions. The information gathered from environmental surveys is used to inform our site design so that our projects can avoid impacting sensitive resources to the extent practicable.

What environmental studies have been conducted for the project?

Clearway has performed numerous environmental studies overthe past few years at the project area to characterize site conditions and inform project design to avoid and minimize impacts to natural resources as much as possible. Completed studies include: Critical Issues Analysis, Wetlandand Waterway Delineation, raptor and migratory bird nest surveys, habitat qualityassessments, bat mist net and acoustic surveys, Phase I Environmental SiteAssessment, cultural resource assessments, and geotechnical and hydrology studies.

How will soil be managed?

The reclamation plan for the historic mining operation on Sterling Ranch property required at least 8 inches of topsoil and 8 inches of subsoil be restored with clean backfill; this was confirmed via soil pits collected on March 4, 1996.

Soil disturbance and grading will be minimized as much as possible for construction activities. In general, excavated soils will remain on site and be backfilled or evenly distributed across the project area. Best management practices will be used to manage and prevent sediment and stormwater runoff into nearby wetlands and aquatic resources, such as dust control, diversion berms and silt fencing. Project activities will follow a Spill Prevention, Control, Containment and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan and any observed contaminated soils will be handled properly and disposed of according to regulatory requirements.

Are solar farms at risk of fire grass fires, and how are they managed?

Solar farm operators implement several safety measures to minimize fire risk, such as regularly mowing vegetation to prevent excess dry grass build up and maintaining clear access for emergency vehicles. In addition, equipment is designed to prevent electrical sparks, and strict protocols are in place to monitor and respond to any fire hazards promptly. These practices help ensure that the risk of grass fires is low and that the site remains safe for the surrounding community.

How do solar farms handle hail and extreme weather events?

Solar panels are engineered to withstand severe weather conditions, including hailstorms and high winds. They are constructed using tough, tempered glass similar to that used in hurricane-proof windows and are rigorously tested to endure impacts from hail up to certain sizes and speeds.

When severe weather is forecasted, the mounting system for the panels automatically tilts the panels to a specific angle that minimizes the impact and potential damage from hailstones. By positioning the panels more vertically, hail is less likely to strike the glass surface directly, helping to safeguard the equipment and extend its lifespan. This automated response is part of the solar farm's extreme weather management protocol, ensuring that the panels remain resilient and operational even during harsh conditions. Regular inspections and maintenance further help identify and address any damage promptly, keeping the facility safe and operational.

Why do farmers put solar on their land?

Our partnering landowners are electing to temporarily rest their fields, completely voluntarily, as is their right. These leases bring in stable income every year, no matter the weather or crop prices. They can make a huge difference for farmers wanting to keep their farm in the family, protecting it from permanent forms of development. Learn more about leasing land with Clearway.

Do solar farms affect birds or other wildlife?

Clearway plans to plant native grasses and floral resources at the Swan Energy Center to help support breeding and foraging of pollinator species, like the monarch butterfly. As the site ismaintained during operation for 30+ years, the natural vegetation will helpimprove soil drainage and health, while creating a stable habitat for insects and small animals.

In addition, migratory bird nest surveys will be conducted prior to construction activities during the breeding season, to ensure active nests aren’t disturbed. Studies have shown solar farms can increase biodiversity on previously disturbed land in just a few years with the use of pollinator-friendly seed mixes, like the one planned for Swan.

Do solar farms release pollution into the land or water?

Solar panels are designed to be safe and durable for the long-term, made with the same kind of tempered glass found in hurricane-proof windows. Like your cellphone, they are designed to crack and not shatter. They also don’t contain fluids that can leak or pollute the soil or water, even if badly cracked, and no part of the panel is buried underground.

Small amounts of conductive metals are in solid form are either chemically bonded together or encased in tempered glass and plastic to prevent exposure to the environment. Clearway currently requires that all solar panels we procure undergo EPA Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Procedure (TCLP) testing to ensure no toxic leaching can occur, even if heavily damaged.

Learn more here: ACP_Solar-Panels_are_Safe-for-Your-Community_FactSheet.pdf

What happens at the end of the solar project life?

At the end of the project’s life, Clearway is required to remove all equipment and restore the site to its prior condition. We reuse or recycle as much of our equipment as possible, working with solar recyclers across the U.S. to conserve materials like glass and aluminum.

Clearway will sign a decommissioning agreement with Bates County and have plans in place to return the land to its original state at the end of the project’s life. This agreement requires us to abide by certain clean up and decommissioning procedures. The process includes safely disposing of or recycling materials such as solar panels and concrete, as well as restoring the land to its natural state by planting native vegetation.

Can solar panels be recycled?

Solar panel recycling is growing fast. Glass, aluminum, and silicon—the primary components of a panel-- can all be recovered. Clearway commits to recycling all solar panels used at this project.

Learn more here: Solar farm removal & recycling fact sheet

Will Clearway sell the Swan Energy Center after construction?

As a leading American renewable energy company, Clearway is a long-term owner and operator of our energy projects across the United States. The Swan Energy Center will join our 13GW operating fleet.

We have no plans to sell the project after construction. These projects are built for lasting performance and responsible ownership, with operations managed by permanent Clearway employees based locally in the community.

What happens if Clearway goes out of business?

Our projects are financed by large banks in the form oflenders and tax equity providers. While it is highly unlikely, if Clearway wereto declare bankruptcy, the bank would step in and be compelled to hire anotheroperator for the project in order to continue realizing the full value of theasset that they invested in. 

     

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