Planning commission grants multi-year extensions for two large solar projects

The Utah County Planning Commission voted to extend the approval windows for two large solar conditional-use permits, allowing developers more time to secure interconnection agreements and buyers for the energy their projects will produce.

Lindsay, representing Aberg OvenGrid Power, asked the commission to extend a 325-megawatt Frogtown solar facility permit that would have expired in December. Staff explained the county ordinance allows an extension when "substantial justice" is shown; staff and the applicant cited market uncertainty, offtaker procurement and supply-chain constraints as justification. The commission approved an updated termination date of Dec. 1, 2030.

Separately, counsel Adrienne Veil, representing the Quicksilver Solar project, said the applicant has coordinated multiple conditional-use permits and acquired additional parcels; she told commissioners the project spent $13,000,000 this year on interconnection upgrades with Rocky Mountain Power and anticipates spending another $11,000,000 next year on grid work tied to the proposed Mercer Substation in Eagle Mountain. The commission granted a five-year extension for Quicksilver, moving the permit expiration to Sept. 2, 2031.

Staff cautioned the hearings on extensions do not re-litigate the original conditional-use approvals or modify conditions; they are limited to whether an extension is warranted under the county ordinance. The commission approved both extension requests by voice vote.

What’s next: If applicants do not obtain required permits by the extended termination dates, they would need to reapply and undergo the conditional-use process again.