Decommissioning and Financial Assurance

Read as a desk report

PE-06 · Matrix · Additional Permitting

Rating: 3Resource is present, likely difficult to address
Why: Core of the site; partly avoidable
Worst case: Not above the rating
Evidence: Reported

Cited claims: 11
Requirements: 0
Requests: 2

Rating

3Resource is present, likely difficult to address

The engine shows this rating as 3

The rule

Code computed the rating from the assessor's inputs:

extent=core, avoidable=partly -> 3

Set by the rule

Decision

Released

Evidence state

Reported · desktop, consultant or developer record

Worst case

The same rule on the worst case gives no rating above the point.

Scenario: OPSB requires the gross $11.6 million bond with no salvage credit, and the amount is contested through the OPSB process, with landowner security adding further burden.
Step still pending: OPSB review of the decommissioning plan and bond amount
Inputs in the worst case: Extent core · Avoidable partly · Pathway individual · Impact likely yes
The rule on the worst case: worst case (extent=core, avoidable=partly -> 3) not above the point
Claims that make it plausible: C-7f2ea3298c, C-303a605026, C-b508b5b110, C-0dda429c60

Revision

First verdict: weakened
First critique: Core inputs, the salvage uncertainty and the worst case are well supported. However, the '60 days before construction' and 'engineer' details appear in no cited quote. The Carroll County agency listing is unsupported, and two uncited claims (C-4e2febbe42, C-640e804855) are not used. Category 3 holds.

Revised once after the first critique. Rating unchanged.

The five inputs

Present: yes
OPSB pre-application summary confirms ORC 4906.21 to 4906.222 decommissioning plan and performance bond requirements apply (C-7818388af6). Lease requires removal to 36 inches and soil restoration (C-00d4067593), with separate security per landowner (C-f3daa0fd5a).
Cites C-7818388af6, C-00d4067593, C-f3daa0fd5a
Extent: core
State statute and the bond govern the whole project; leases require removal and restoration across leased land (C-7818388af6, C-0dda429c60, C-e278af1a95). The Parcel 7 collection easement adds removal of above-ground equipment two years after operations stop (C-4e2febbe42).
Cites C-7818388af6, C-0dda429c60, C-e278af1a95, C-4e2febbe42
Avoidable: partly
Terms are front-loaded: a bond equal to the estimate must be posted before construction, updated every five years and never reduced (C-0dda429c60). Whether OPSB accepts the net-of-salvage figure ($5.7M) or requires gross ($11.6M) is unsettled, and salvage values are volatile (C-303a605026, C-7f2ea3298c, C-b508b5b110). Leases also require separate security per landowner (C-f3daa0fd5a).
Cites C-0dda429c60, C-303a605026, C-7f2ea3298c, C-b508b5b110, C-f3daa0fd5a
Pathway: standard
A decommissioning plan prepared by a registered professional is submitted to OPSB under Ohio law, with a bond and routine five-year updating (C-b6d40fe4d7, C-0dda429c60). The salvage question is an open item, not a documented dispute with the authority (C-7f2ea3298c). Timing details beyond the quoted text are not relied on.
Cites C-b6d40fe4d7, C-0dda429c60, C-7f2ea3298c
Impact likely: yes
A performance bond must be posted before construction and lease security is required, tying up capital or credit; the plan commits the project to funded removal to 36 inches and restoration (C-0dda429c60, C-00d4067593, C-f3daa0fd5a).
Cites C-0dda429c60, C-00d4067593, C-f3daa0fd5a

Comments

ORC 4906.21 to 4906.222 require a decommissioning plan and performance bond. Bond equal to the estimate is due before construction, updated every five years, never reduced. Estimate is $11.6 million gross, $5.7 million net of salvage; OPSB treatment of salvage is unsettled. Leases require 36-inch removal and separate landowner security.

Critique

Verdict: upheld
Suggested direction for the rating: same
Summary: Assessment is largely supported by the cited claims, and OPSB is the right agency. Two minor problems: the Parcel 7 easement removal term is not in the quote, and the landowner security is framed as additional when the bond is meant to satisfy it.
Critic model: Luminol

Issues

Severity minor · Kind unsupported_statement
The extent rationale cites C-4e2febbe42 for a Parcel 7 easement requiring removal of above-ground equipment two years after operations stop. The quote only says something 'ends two (2) years after it permanently stops operating'. It names no parcel and mentions no removal obligation. Extent 'core' still holds on the other claims.
Cites C-4e2febbe42
Severity minor · Kind overstatement
The worst case says landowner security adds further burden, and the avoidable rationale lists separate security as an extra term. C-f3daa0fd5a says the bond is intended to satisfy the per-landowner security requirement, so it is likely duplicative rather than additional. The next step on aligning lease security with the bond is appropriate.
Cites C-f3daa0fd5a

Checks

Passed
rating_has_evidence · blocking
Passed
presence_is_evidenced · not blocking
Passed
counter_evidence_considered · not blocking
Passed
numbers_grounded · not blocking
Passed
agencies_grounded · not blocking
Passed
cutoff_respected · blocking
Passed
critic_not_refuted · blocking

Evidence (11)

Each claim the row cites: the statement in the assessor's words, then the quote the engine found on the page.

Arrow keys move the selection. A middle-click opens the claim's own page.

Option and Lease Summary - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project

C-00d4067593 · Page 1 of 2 · DR-0004

Open the claim

Lease requires lessee to remove facilities to 36 inches depth and restore soil within 12 months after lease end, with security posted.

Quote check Exact · Placed verbatim · The quote occurs on the page exactly as written. · Read as native

Northfold Energy Partners, LLC Development office: 88 East Broad Street, Suite 1400, Columbus, Ohio 43215 | northfold-energy.example Option and Lease Summary Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project, Harrison Township, Carroll County, Ohio Prepared by the Northfold land team for Tamsin Ridge Solar, LLC. May 30, 2023. 1. Site control at a glance Tamsin Ridge Solar, LLC holds option-to-lease agreements on 12 of the 14 parcels (1,063.4 acres) and a recorded underground collection line easement on Parcel 7 (45.6 acres). Parcel 11 (31.0 acres, Okerlund Family Trust) is not under agreement. Each option was recorded by a memorandum of option in the Carroll County Recorder's office. Term Standard form (all 12 options) Option period 5 years from execution, with one 3-year extension on notice and payment Option payments Annual per-acre payment during the option period; credited against rent Lease term 35 years from the commercial operation date, with two 5-year renewals Rent Fixed annual rent per fenced acre with a 2% annual escalator; crop damage paid Use Solar generation, battery storage, substation, collection and gen-tie lines, roads Lessor reservations Hunting outside the fence; farming of unfenced land; oil and gas rights Decommissioning Lessee removes all facilities to a depth of 36 inches and restores the soil within 12 months after the lease ends; lessee posts security Drain tile Lessee repairs or reroutes tile damaged by construction Assignment Free assignment to affiliates and lenders; lender protections included 2. Status by landowner Landowner Parcels Acres Agreement Executed Varnum Farms LLC 1, 2 215.1 Option to lease Aug. 16, 2021 Jessamy and Corwin Strohl 3, 4 160.6 Option to lease Oct. 4, 2021 Hallorann Land Company LLC 5, 6 165.5 Option to lease Nov. 22, 2021 Delphine Asquith 7 45.6 Collection line easement Recorded Nov. 3, 2022 Bertrand and Ione Kellerman 8 79.8 Option to lease Jan. 18, 2022 Pettibone heirs (Ada Pettibone, trustee) 9, 10 210.0 Option to lease Feb. 7, 2022 Okerlund Family Trust 11 31.0 None; in negotiation - Marlis Thornbury 12, 13 155.2 Option to lease Mar. 29, 2022 Ruedell Partners LLC 14 77.2 Option to lease June 30, 2022 Northfold land team - privileged and confidential Page 1 of 2

The outline marks where the quote begins on the page.

Page 1 of Option and Lease Summary - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project

C-00d4067593
Lease requires lessee to remove facilities to 36 inches depth and restore soil within 12 months after lease end, with security posted.
Quoted from page 1
Lessee removes all facilities to a depth of 36 inches and restores the soil within 12 months after
Option and Lease Summary - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0004 · Page 1 · 2023-05-30
Source developer_document · Claim type regulatory · Polarity presence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100
See it on page 1, claim C-00d4067593
C-0dda429c60
A performance bond with the Board as obligee, equal to the estimate, must be posted before construction, updated every five years and never reduced.
Quoted from page 1
Before construction it must post a performance bond, with the Board as obligee, equal to the estimate; the bond is updated every five years and is never reduced.
Preliminary Decommissioning Plan and Cost Estimate - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0024 · Page 1 · 2023-03-20
Source developer_document · Claim type regulatory · Polarity presence · Confidence medium · Quote check exact, 100 of 100
See it on page 1, claim C-0dda429c60
C-303a605026
Decommissioning estimate in 2023 dollars is $11.6 million gross, $5.9 million salvage, $5.7 million net.
Quoted from page 2
Total $11.6 million $5.9 million $5.7 million
Preliminary Decommissioning Plan and Cost Estimate - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0024 · Page 2 · 2023-03-20
Source developer_document · Claim type cost · Polarity neutral · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100
See it on page 2, claim C-303a605026
C-4e2febbe42
The easement ends two years after the project permanently stops operating; grantee must remove above-ground equipment and remove or leave buried cables at grantor's election.
Quoted from page 1
ends two (2) years after it permanently stops operating
Underground Collection Line Easement Agreement - Parcel 7 · DR-0003 · Page 1 · 2022-11-03
Source public_record · Claim type constraint · Polarity neutral · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100
Filed under PE-05, PE-06
See it on page 1, claim C-4e2febbe42
C-640e804855
Plan for battery removal and recycling at end of life in the decommissioning plan.
Quoted from page 2
Plan for battery removal and recycling at end of life in the decommissioning plan.
Battery Energy Storage System Fire Safety Narrative - Tamsin Ridge · DR-0014 · Page 2 · 2023-06-28
Source consultant_memo · Claim type recommendation · Polarity neutral · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100
Filed under EG-04, PE-06
See it on page 2, claim C-640e804855
C-7818388af6
Decommissioning plan and performance bond requirements of ORC 4906.21 to 4906.222 apply.
Quoted from page 1
decommissioning plan and performance bond requirements of ORC 4906.21 to 4906.222 apply.
OPSB Pre-Application Conference Summary - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0026 · Page 1 · 2023-03-28
Source agency_determination · Claim type regulatory · Polarity presence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100
See it on page 1, claim C-7818388af6
C-7f2ea3298c
Whether OPSB accepts the estimate net of salvage ($5.7 million) or requires gross ($11.6 million) has not been settled.
Quoted from page 2
whether OPSB will accept the estimate net of salvage ($5.7 million) or require the gross figure ($11.6 million) has not been settled.
Preliminary Decommissioning Plan and Cost Estimate - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0024 · Page 2 · 2023-03-20
Source developer_document · Claim type data_gap · Polarity neutral · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100
Filed under PE-02, PE-06
See it on page 2, claim C-7f2ea3298c
C-b508b5b110
Salvage values rely on volatile scrap prices and could fall well short of the estimate.
Quoted from page 2
Scrap prices are volatile, and salvage could fall well short of these figures.
Preliminary Decommissioning Plan and Cost Estimate - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0024 · Page 2 · 2023-03-20
Source developer_document · Claim type data_gap · Polarity neutral · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100
See it on page 2, claim C-b508b5b110
C-b6d40fe4d7
Ohio law requires an engineer-prepared decommissioning plan submitted to the OPSB at least 60 days before construction, with removal ending within 12 months of cessation.
Quoted from page 1
the applicant must submit a comprehensive decommissioning plan prepared by a registered professional
Preliminary Decommissioning Plan and Cost Estimate - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0024 · Page 1 · 2023-03-20
Source developer_document · Claim type regulatory · Polarity presence · Confidence medium · Quote check exact, 100 of 100
Filed under PE-02, PE-06
See it on page 1, claim C-b6d40fe4d7
C-e278af1a95
The leases require removal and restoration within 12 months after they end.
Quoted from page 1
The leases also require removal and restoration within 12 months after they end.
Preliminary Decommissioning Plan and Cost Estimate - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0024 · Page 1 · 2023-03-20
Source developer_document · Claim type constraint · Polarity presence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100
Filed under PE-05, PE-06
See it on page 1, claim C-e278af1a95
C-f3daa0fd5a
The leases require separate security for each landowner, which the bond is intended to satisfy.
Quoted from page 2
The leases require separate security for each landowner, which the bond is intended to satisfy.
Preliminary Decommissioning Plan and Cost Estimate - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project · DR-0024 · Page 2 · 2023-03-20
Source developer_document · Claim type constraint · Polarity presence · Confidence high · Quote check exact, 100 of 100
Filed under PE-05, PE-06
See it on page 2, claim C-f3daa0fd5a

Requirements and permits

The requirements the assessor tied to this row, by level. Each quote from dated law is shown with its source.

No requirement is tied to this row.

Information requests

IR-0a712115cd · High priority
Provide the financial assurance instrument or terms (bond, letter of credit, escrow, parent guarantee) for the project area, or confirm none exists.
Missing evidence
Financial assurance instrument or terms (bond, letter of credit, escrow, parent guarantee)
Consequence
Decommissioning and Financial Assurance is rated on partial evidence without it.
Blocks the decision
No
Raised by
completeness
IR-9c85d7f357 · High priority
Provide the state or local decommissioning rule or permit condition for the project area, or confirm none exists.
Missing evidence
State or local decommissioning rule or permit condition
Consequence
Decommissioning and Financial Assurance is rated on partial evidence without it.
Blocks the decision
No
Raised by
completeness

Next steps

Confirm with OPSB whether the bond may be net of salvage.
Align lease security with the OPSB bond and confirm bond form with the surety or lender.
Include battery removal and recycling in the decommissioning plan and estimate.

Agencies

OPSB

Cost and impact

Impact: C, S
Potential cost level: M-H
Why: Bond sized to the estimate must be posted before construction and never reduced; gross figure of $11.6 million possible versus $5.7 million net; battery removal and recycling must be planned.

Impact: C = cost, S = schedule. Potential cost level: L, L-M, M, M-H, H (relative to a utility-scale solar budget).