Commissioners approve one solar conditional use permit request,take no action on second request

BY BECKY UEHLING

GRANT TRIBUNE 

With a two to one vote, the Perkins County Commissioners approved a conditional use permit request from Midwest Electric Cooperative Corp. at its Monday, Nov. 3, meeting. The approval will allow Midwest to establish a solar conversion facility southwest of Elsie.

Voting to approve the request were Commissioners Steve Tucker and Mark Bottom, with Commissioner Darin Robertson voting no. The commissioners took no action on a similar request from Lightsource bp for a separate solar conversion facility project.

The approval of Midwest’s request will allow the corporation to move forward with establishing a 10-acre solar conversion facility, the second one in the county for the corporation, to be located near Roads 758 and 351 southwest of Elsie.  Midwest Electric’s other facility will be located northeast of Grant near roads 763 and 333 and will encompass 20 acres.

Before voicing his no vote, Robertson said he feels the commissioners should wait to approve or deny the requests after the county’s comprehensive plan and zoning regulations are updated with new language outlining specific requirements for solar conversion facilities. Both Tucker and Bottom felt the project presented by Midwest Electric fell in-line with the current zoning regulations, and both felt Midwest has adequately answered all of their questions, presenting a straightforward plan that takes the long-term and short-term needs of the citizens and the county into account. In contrast, commissioners felt that Lighsource bp has not demonstrated a clear plan.

The process to update the 25-year-old comp plan and zoning regulations is currently taking place, with the final document anticipated to be complete in March 2026, according to Edward Dunn, executive director of West Central Nebraska Development District who is leading the effort to update the plan.

Next Meeting

The commissioners next meeting will be on Monday, Nov. 17th at 8:30 a.m. at the courthouse, and will include a meeting of the Perkins County Board of Equalization at 9:30 a.m.