Solar project ‘on the home stretch’

BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — The Martin County Solar Project is on the home stretch, according to Savion director of development Erich Miarka.

Miarka gave a project update Thursday during the Martin County Fiscal Court meeting.

“We build and operate utility-scale solar projects all over the country,” Miarka said of the Kansas City-based Savion. “Of course, I’m here to talk to you about the Martin County Solar Project.”

The developer said the schedule for the 200-megawatt solar project that Savion and Edelen Renewables are developing at the former Martiki mine site in Pilgrim had slipped because of supply chain issues and pricing volatility in the market.

“The industry is partly to blame because we’ve sourced so much of our material for so long from overseas,” he said. “Now those chickens are coming home to roost.”

The plan is to get on-site by June 2023.

“Our goal is to have the general contractor on board by the end of January,” added Miarka. “So between January and June is when we’re going to be doing a lot of the workforce development. We’re going to be hiring, doing the job fairs and subcontractor fairs, and there will be a lot of big press around it at that time.”

The general contractor will act as project management.

“They’ve got some quality assurance and quality control people that come out in the field, and they might have some foremen. They’re responsible for hiring all the subs, the civil, the electrical, any sort of concrete work we have going out there. They’ll sub that out to local contractors. They’ll also hire laborers. So they’re not bringing in a bunch of people from out of state. They’re going to hire people locally.”

Martin County Judge/Executive Colby Kirk said it would be important to introduce the court to the general contractor when the firm is named “so we can connect them with local contractors.”

“We’ve had several folks reaching out locally with interest as far as contractors, and also individuals who eagerly anticipate working with this project,” Kirk said.

Miarka stated the contractor would host at least one job fair for laborers and one for sub-contractors.

“We would be happy to assist with that and help get the word out so that people know about it, too,” said Kirk.

Miarka commented that this would be a 250 to 300-person job for the 12-18-month construction window

“We’re going to need a lot of hands,” he added.

Anyone interested can find information online at martincountysolarproject.com.

“There’s a form on that website that will automatically come to me and our construction team,” said Miarka. “We are cataloging everyone that sends an email through that website. So as soon as we do have our general contractor on board, they’re going to get a packet of people who are interested.”

Kirk asked Miarka to “shed some light” on the PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes).

“As part of the industrial revenue bond process, there’s a PILOT,” said Miarka. “What that means is there is a flat rate that is paid to the county each year the solar project is operational under this industrial revenue bond. Right now, I think they’re set up for 30 years, and that PILOT rate is based on the size of the project. So it’s $1,500 for every megawatt of solar that’s built on the site. Our goal is to build up to 200 megawatts. That’s the most that we can build up there. If we’re able to build all 200, it’s going to be a $300,000 payment annually to the county. Right now our design is around 122.5 and we have about an additional 78 to get to that full 200. That’s maybe going to be six to 12 months behind the first phase. …So there’s still some additional development work that has to happen for the other 78 megawatts, but phase 1 will be about 122.5.”

After the industrial revenue bond expires in 30 years, the PILOT goes away and the project goes back to a normal tax rate.

Magistrate Mark Blackburn asked Miarka what happens to the solar panels at the end of their use.

Miarka said the company would be responsible for the panels, which would either be sold or recycled. He also noted the Kentucky Public Service Commission requires a decommission plan and a bond.