By CRISTINA JANNEYHays Post

Developer ibV of Florida answered questions for more than two hours during the Ellis County Commission meeting on Tuesday about its proposed $275 million Tallgrass Development solar project in southwest Ellis County.

IbV is requesting a conditional-use permit to erect solar panels that would generate 175MW of power for the Southwest Power Pool energy market, connecting via Midwest Energy at the 345-kilovolt Spearville-Post Rock.

The county commission did not take a vote on the conditional-use permit.

Darin Myers, Ellis County administrator, said the county will be in talks with ibV during the next two months. He said a vote on the permit is unlikely until March.

Due to the number of protest petitions received, approval of the conditional-use permit will require a unanimous vote of the commission.

SEE RELATED STORY: Planning commission sends solar project to Ellis County Commission

The commission submitted 18 written questions to the ibV in advance of the meeting. Commissioners and members of the public asked additional questions.

Some of the concerns included water, decommissioning the site, environmental effects and potential effects on neighbors.

Water

As was discussed at the Joint Ellis County Planning Commission meeting, Steven Link, ibV senior project developer, said the project did not have any need for potable water.

The site will need 150 to 250 gallons per day for a small number of on-site operations staff. Link said ibV intends to use pond or reclaimed water.

The ibV representatives were asked to whom they intend to sell the power generated by the solar panels. Link said most utilities enter into long-term power purchase agreements. He said power in this region is in demand, but ibV can’t enter into an agreement to sell the power until it knows its permit will be approved.

IbV has already completed its final interconnection study. It will be required to pay for upgrades to connect to the existing power system.

The commissioners asked ibV why it has asked for an extension of its conditional-use permit for up to two years. Robin Saiz, vice president, said some of the high-voltage infrastructure needed to connect to the grid is taking up to 36 months to deliver. 

Although ibV is required to pay for the connection to the grid, the local power system installs the infrastructure, and projects might also be delayed at this step in the process, Saiz said.

Environment

Jessica Augustine, Audubon of Kansas executive director, said although Audubon generally supports renewable energy, she urged the commission to consider the environmental effects on grassland and wildlife.

In a letter submitted to the commission and in oral testimony, she suggested the commission require environmental monitoring prior to permitting, during construction and during operations.

Augustine said Audubon urged the construction of solar projects on already disturbed or developed land, not on native grassland.

Audubon bases its annual Lek Treks tours of native lesser prairie chicken habitats in Hays. IbV representatives said a walk-through of the site found no activity by lesser prairie chickens. However, they said they intend to conduct additional surveys this spring.

Augustine also urged the developer, if the project is approved, to maintain fencing that allows small-animal movement beneath the fences and large-animal movement through and around the development.

She also urged ibV to plant only native grasses.

IbV has met with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about the solar project.

It has conducted Critical Issues Analysis, a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, Threatened and Endangered Species Report, Wetland Delineation and a Cultural and Historic Resource Analysis.

Kaw Pipeline

The commission asked ibV if the Kaw Oil Pipeline intersected the site. 

A representative from the Kaw Pipeline told the commission he had only just been made aware of the solar project. He said he had significant concerns about the project being located over the pipeline.

He said regulations give the pipeline the right of way.

The ibV representatives said they are working on geological surveys of the property. They did not think the project was over the pipeline, but would determine that soon.

Decommissioning

IbV will be required to establish a decommissioning bond. The site is supposed to remain active for up to 35 years.

The ibV representatives said if the solar farm were ever sold, the bond and conditional-use permit requirements would remain in effect. In the event of bankruptcy, the bond would also cover the site’s decommissioning.

The commissioners asked about the insurance in the event of hail, high winds or tornadoes.

Saiz said the project will be insured for full replacement of the facility.

However, the infrastructure will be rated for a category two windstorm and up to 90mm hail. The solar panels track to follow the sun throughout the day. The site will be equipped with a 24/7 monitored weather station. 

In the event of a storm, the solar panels can be tilted to minimize wind or hail damage.

The panels will be made of glass, silicone and lead-free solder. Link said the panels are mainly made of glass. They contain no hazardous liquids or hazmat materials, Link said.

In the event of panel damage, a small number of panels may be disposed of in the local landfill if approved by the local environmental director. If a large number of panels needed to be disposed of, they would likely be shipped to another location for recycling.

The representatives said the company’s insurance would cover the cleanup.

Effects on neighbors

Although earlier generation solar panels reflected light, the current generation does not. The panels also don’t emit significant heat, Link said.

The panels are not noisy, but the inverters emit a hum equivalent to a household refrigerator, Saiz said.

IbV plans to tap directly into the power grid and will not have any on-site battery storage.

Timline

IbV plans to start construction on the project during the first half of 2027, with completion in 18 months.

Commission chairman Michael Berges asked what would happen if the project were abandoned. Saiz said that it is unlikely, given the company’s investment and the value of the transmission interconnection.

County attorney Bill Jeter said if ibV started construction and then made no progress for a year, the site could be considered abandoned. 

Berges requested that quarterly updates on the construction project be a stipulation of the permit.

Emergency plan/fire

The ibV representatives said they will have an emergency and fire plan in place before construction begins.

Myers, who is also the Ellis County fire chief, said if the project is approved, Ellis County Fire would conduct training at the facility, similar to that done with the Buckeye Wind Farm.

He said the fire department would handle a fire at the solar facility the same way it would handle any grass fire. They would let the fire burn to the firefighters and then extinguish it.

IbV said they would provide first responders with access to the lock boxes at their gates, and Myers said they could cut through fence if necessary.

Payment in lieu of taxes

IbV and the county are negotiating a payment in lieu of taxes or PILOT for the first 10 years of the solar facility’s operation. That amount is yet to be determined.

After 10 years, the state statute stipulates the facility would return to the tax rolls, with taxes going to all taxing entities, including the rural fire district, county and school district.

The facility would be just inside the Hays USD 489 boundaries.

A condition of the permit will also include a road and bridge escrow account to be used for any repairs or upgrades to county roads resulting from the project.

Open house

Tallgrass Development will host two open house events at Gella’s venue room. They will be from noon to 2 p.m. and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22.

This will be in a station-type setting where community members can engage directly with the Tallgrass Development Team on specific areas of interest, such as engineering, environmental, community benefits and solar technology.

By CRISTINA JANNEYHays Post

Developer ibV of Florida answered questions for more than two hours during the Ellis County Commission meeting on Tuesday about its proposed $275 million Tallgrass Development solar project in southwest Ellis County.

IbV is requesting a conditional-use permit to erect solar panels that would generate 175MW of power for the Southwest Power Pool energy market, connecting via Midwest Energy at the 345-kilovolt Spearville-Post Rock.

The county commission did not take a vote on the conditional-use permit.

Darin Myers, Ellis County administrator, said the county will be in talks with ibV during the next two months. He said a vote on the permit is unlikely until March.

Due to the number of protest petitions received, approval of the conditional-use permit will require a unanimous vote of the commission.

SEE RELATED STORY: Planning commission sends solar project to Ellis County Commission

The commission submitted 18 written questions to the ibV in advance of the meeting. Commissioners and members of the public asked additional questions.

Some of the concerns included water, decommissioning the site, environmental effects and potential effects on neighbors.

Water

As was discussed at the Joint Ellis County Planning Commission meeting, Steven Link, ibV senior project developer, said the project did not have any need for potable water.

The site will need 150 to 250 gallons per day for a small number of on-site operations staff. Link said ibV intends to use pond or reclaimed water.

The ibV representatives were asked to whom they intend to sell the power generated by the solar panels. Link said most utilities enter into long-term power purchase agreements. He said power in this region is in demand, but ibV can’t enter into an agreement to sell the power until it knows its permit will be approved.

IbV has already completed its final interconnection study. It will be required to pay for upgrades to connect to the existing power system.

The commissioners asked ibV why it has asked for an extension of its conditional-use permit for up to two years. Robin Saiz, vice president, said some of the high-voltage infrastructure needed to connect to the grid is taking up to 36 months to deliver. 

Although ibV is required to pay for the connection to the grid, the local power system installs the infrastructure, and projects might also be delayed at this step in the process, Saiz said.

Environment

Jessica Augustine, Audubon of Kansas executive director, said although Audubon generally supports renewable energy, she urged the commission to consider the environmental effects on grassland and wildlife.

In a letter submitted to the commission and in oral testimony, she suggested the commission require environmental monitoring prior to permitting, during construction and during operations.

Augustine said Audubon urged the construction of solar projects on already disturbed or developed land, not on native grassland.

Audubon bases its annual Lek Treks tours of native lesser prairie chicken habitats in Hays. IbV representatives said a walk-through of the site found no activity by lesser prairie chickens. However, they said they intend to conduct additional surveys this spring.

Augustine also urged the developer, if the project is approved, to maintain fencing that allows small-animal movement beneath the fences and large-animal movement through and around the development.

She also urged ibV to plant only native grasses.

IbV has met with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about the solar project.

It has conducted Critical Issues Analysis, a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, Threatened and Endangered Species Report, Wetland Delineation and a Cultural and Historic Resource Analysis.

Kaw Pipeline

The commission asked ibV if the Kaw Oil Pipeline intersected the site. 

A representative from the Kaw Pipeline told the commission he had only just been made aware of the solar project. He said he had significant concerns about the project being located over the pipeline.

He said regulations give the pipeline the right of way.

The ibV representatives said they are working on geological surveys of the property. They did not think the project was over the pipeline, but would determine that soon.

Decommissioning

IbV will be required to establish a decommissioning bond. The site is supposed to remain active for up to 35 years.

The ibV representatives said if the solar farm were ever sold, the bond and conditional-use permit requirements would remain in effect. In the event of bankruptcy, the bond would also cover the site’s decommissioning.

The commissioners asked about the insurance in the event of hail, high winds or tornadoes.

Saiz said the project will be insured for full replacement of the facility.

However, the infrastructure will be rated for a category two windstorm and up to 90mm hail. The solar panels track to follow the sun throughout the day. The site will be equipped with a 24/7 monitored weather station. 

In the event of a storm, the solar panels can be tilted to minimize wind or hail damage.

The panels will be made of glass, silicone and lead-free solder. Link said the panels are mainly made of glass. They contain no hazardous liquids or hazmat materials, Link said.

In the event of panel damage, a small number of panels may be disposed of in the local landfill if approved by the local environmental director. If a large number of panels needed to be disposed of, they would likely be shipped to another location for recycling.

The representatives said the company’s insurance would cover the cleanup.

Effects on neighbors

Although earlier generation solar panels reflected light, the current generation does not. The panels also don’t emit significant heat, Link said.

The panels are not noisy, but the inverters emit a hum equivalent to a household refrigerator, Saiz said.

IbV plans to tap directly into the power grid and will not have any on-site battery storage.

Timline

IbV plans to start construction on the project during the first half of 2027, with completion in 18 months.

Commission chairman Michael Berges asked what would happen if the project were abandoned. Saiz said that it is unlikely, given the company’s investment and the value of the transmission interconnection.

County attorney Bill Jeter said if ibV started construction and then made no progress for a year, the site could be considered abandoned. 

Berges requested that quarterly updates on the construction project be a stipulation of the permit.

Emergency plan/fire

The ibV representatives said they will have an emergency and fire plan in place before construction begins.

Myers, who is also the Ellis County fire chief, said if the project is approved, Ellis County Fire would conduct training at the facility, similar to that done with the Buckeye Wind Farm.

He said the fire department would handle a fire at the solar facility the same way it would handle any grass fire. They would let the fire burn to the firefighters and then extinguish it.

IbV said they would provide first responders with access to the lock boxes at their gates, and Myers said they could cut through fence if necessary.

Payment in lieu of taxes

IbV and the county are negotiating a payment in lieu of taxes or PILOT for the first 10 years of the solar facility’s operation. That amount is yet to be determined.

After 10 years, the state statute stipulates the facility would return to the tax rolls, with taxes going to all taxing entities, including the rural fire district, county and school district.

The facility would be just inside the Hays USD 489 boundaries.

A condition of the permit will also include a road and bridge escrow account to be used for any repairs or upgrades to county roads resulting from the project.

Open house

Tallgrass Development will host two open house events at Gella’s venue room. They will be from noon to 2 p.m. and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22.

This will be in a station-type setting where community members can engage directly with the Tallgrass Development Team on specific areas of interest, such as engineering, environmental, community benefits and solar technology.