Developer asks court to overturn Wagoner County permit denial as debate over large-scale renewable energy projects continues
WAGONER, Okla. — A renewable energy developer is asking a Wagoner County judge to overturn the county’s denial of a permit for a proposed solar farm near Porter, the latest development in a dispute that has divided local officials and landowners.
According to reporting by OK Energy Today, Persica Solar LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, recently filed a trial brief in Wagoner County District Court seeking approval of a conditional use permit for a proposed solar project covering nearly 5,000 acres near Porter. The filing comes nearly a year after Wagoner County commissioners voted 2-1 to deny the permit following months of public meetings and opposition from area residents.
Judge Douglas Kirkley is scheduled to hear the appeal Aug. 31 after briefing by both sides is completed.
Persica Solar is a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, one of the nation’s largest renewable energy developers. The proposed project would be built on leased agricultural land near Porter in eastern Wagoner County. About 25 landowners have signed agreements with the company, according to previous filings.
In the June 16 court filing, Persica attorney Jim Roth argued the company met all requirements for a conditional use permit under county zoning regulations and that county commissioners failed to provide written findings explaining their denial. The brief asks the court either to issue the permit directly or order county officials to do so.
The dispute dates to 2024, when Persica submitted its application to Wagoner County planning officials. County planning staff later recommended approval, but the Wagoner County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission voted against the proposal. The matter was subsequently considered by county commissioners over multiple meetings before the board voted against the project in 2025.
Supporters of the project argue it would provide economic benefits to the area, including an estimated $31 million in ad valorem tax revenue over the project’s expected 30-year lifespan. Persica has also said the project could create up to 300 construction jobs during peak construction and provide additional revenue for Porter Public Schools and other local taxing jurisdictions.
Opponents have raised concerns about land use, environmental impacts, road conditions, property values and the appropriateness of locating a large-scale solar facility on agricultural land. Those concerns were repeatedly voiced during public hearings leading up to the county’s vote.
The case comes as disputes over utility-scale solar projects have become increasingly common in Oklahoma, prompting debates among landowners, county officials and state policymakers over local control, property rights and renewable energy development.
The legal challenge is one of several ongoing disputes involving renewable energy projects in Oklahoma, where local governments and developers have increasingly clashed over siting decisions and permitting authority.
Source: OK Energy Today
