A public hearing is planned for Tuesday (Aug. 5) at the Lonoke County courthouse at 10 am to discuss details of a potential 5,600 acre, 300 megawatt solar field near Keo.
Lonoke County officials posted public notice of the meeting to allow input on “the issuance of not to exceed $700,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of a Taxable Industrial Development Revenue Bond (Downstream Solar Project)” by the county.
The notice indicates the up-to $700 million bond will help finance the acquisition, construction and equipping of an “up to 300-megawatt AC photovoltaic solar generation facility” and other facilities necessary for commercial operation, including “a battery storage facility.”
A 300-megawatt facility could provide power for more than 100,000 homes.
The location for the proposed project is in parts of Lonoke County that include Keo and unincorporated areas in the region including “South of Toltec Road,…


