Board approves Deschutes Solar MOU on wildfire prevention and emergency response with local providers
August 06, 2025 | Wasco County, Oregon
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Wasco County commissioners on Aug. 6 approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with DECHBN LLC (doing business as Deschutes Solar), Juniper Flat Rural Fire Protection District, Southern Wasco County Ambulance Services, Inc., and Wasco County (on behalf of the sheriff's office). The MOU addresses wildfire prevention and emergency-response coordination as part of the developer's application process.
County staff and counsel explained the MOU implements a requirement in the Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC/FSEC) administrative rules for utility-scale energy projects to address wildfire risk and emergency-response needs as part of the permitting record. The agreement includes commitments for emergency-response coordination and a community-benefits component: the parties recorded an agreed contribution of $200,000 to the fire district and $50,000 to Wasco County for sheriff-related costs and services. The meeting record shows those amounts were negotiated between the developer and the fire/EMS partners; staff confirmed the county will not be funding these contributions from county general funds.
Speakers noted that the MOU is one of many documents required for FSEC review; it does not represent board endorsement or final project approval, nor does it substitute for the public review and permitting process through EFSC.
Action: The board approved the MOU unanimously. The agreement sets a target date (Aug. 15) for parties to issue will-serve letters and commits the developer to fund agreed mitigation and preparedness measures pursuant to the MOU’s terms.
Why it matters: The MOU clarifies local emergency-response obligations and developer-funded mitigation that will form part of the EFSC permitting record; it also provides short-term resources to local fire and sheriff services related to wildfire risk and project operations.
What’s next: Participating local providers will prepare will-serve letters and follow the MOU process; the county will continue to treat the document as part of EFSC review rather than local project approval.
County staff and counsel explained the MOU implements a requirement in the Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC/FSEC) administrative rules for utility-scale energy projects to address wildfire risk and emergency-response needs as part of the permitting record. The agreement includes commitments for emergency-response coordination and a community-benefits component: the parties recorded an agreed contribution of $200,000 to the fire district and $50,000 to Wasco County for sheriff-related costs and services. The meeting record shows those amounts were negotiated between the developer and the fire/EMS partners; staff confirmed the county will not be funding these contributions from county general funds.
Speakers noted that the MOU is one of many documents required for FSEC review; it does not represent board endorsement or final project approval, nor does it substitute for the public review and permitting process through EFSC.
Action: The board approved the MOU unanimously. The agreement sets a target date (Aug. 15) for parties to issue will-serve letters and commits the developer to fund agreed mitigation and preparedness measures pursuant to the MOU’s terms.
Why it matters: The MOU clarifies local emergency-response obligations and developer-funded mitigation that will form part of the EFSC permitting record; it also provides short-term resources to local fire and sheriff services related to wildfire risk and project operations.
What’s next: Participating local providers will prepare will-serve letters and follow the MOU process; the county will continue to treat the document as part of EFSC review rather than local project approval.
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