Residents who don’t like speaking before crowds are compelled to, when new developments are proposed right next door.
This was Mark Welty and six others, whose property would be near or beside the proposed 900-acre solar farm in Scott Township.
“I have a lot of concerns with this. My family is home schooled. My wife stays home with my two kids. They'll be looking at this all day, every day,” said Welty, a part-time farmer, on top of a full-time job. “I hope you guys prayerfully consider the impact on this community.”
The Vanderburgh County Commission is in the negotiating phase with Orion Renewable Energy to build the solar farm. With Mike Shopmeyer, attorney for the county, they drafted agreements for economic development, handling local roadways and decommissioning the park in 30 years.
The full audio of the discussion is below.
Shopmeyer presented the agreements to the Vanderburgh County Commission on Tuesday morning.
“We've been through a great deal of negotiation,” Shopmeyer said. “Almost all the changes that we have sought have been made; (they) have been pretty substantial changes, as there are on any economic development project."
He said this is a $200 million investment project and one of the largest undertaken in the region. He said this project does not have a tax phase in, meaning the county will receive more tax benefits from the plant. A $500,000 payment to the county is also expected in installments through the construction process.
This is a 30-year lease with possible 10 year extensions. Of the overall 900 acres, the plant would occupy 600 acres of the land. The panels would mechanically follow the sun throughout the day.
It would generate enough power for 20,000 homes, but Sphopmeyer said he’s not sure how much power CenterPoint Energy will buy.
Residents took issue when Shopmeyer said this land is “low ag” property, meaning it’s not as productive for growing as others, making it a good location for such a plant.
There were six registered public comments from the full crowd, many wearing red shirts to protest the plant.
“Vandenberg County is the eighth smallest county and one of the highest population densities,” said resident Eric Cure. “And why you would want to take 1,000 acres of that out for a lifetime, I just don't understand.”
He suggested that housing would be more productive fore the area.
It wasn’t just concerns for the potential eyesore to the neighbors who don’t wish to see their neighborhood changed.
They also wanted time to vet the promises made in these economic development agreements.
Others with experience in the field were concerned about safe power distribution from the plant, or ensuring decommissioned solar panels wouldn’t just end up in a local landfill.
This was just the first reading of the agreement. Nothing was going to be decided, but Commission President Justin Elpers felt everyone needed more time.
“So my recommendation, based on what has happened here, is to table these agreements and then that will give the developer time to address all these questions that the community has tomorrow.”
Orion Energy will be available for questions at Venue 812 in Evansville at 6 PM June 25.
Attorney for Orion Renewables, Reid Schmitt, said he would hold as many meetings and informational sessions as needed to put residents at ease.
He believes they can work cooperatively with neighbors. “They just, they just need to come to the meeting and express their concerns so we can listen to them and we can address those.”
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