Many Speak Against Solar Farm

More than 50 people attended a town hall meeting that was held last Thursday in the small Courtroom at the Jasper County Courthouse, sponsored by the Taxpayer’s Watchdog Group (TWG), about a proposed solar farm in rural Jasper County.

“Shy Place Solar Park” is a proposed solar power generation site that would provide affordable, reliable energy to the local grid. The solar park would be located off Rock Eagle Road near the Putnam County line.

Two town hall meetings were held a couple weeks ago where representatives of the company, EDP Renewables, were available to offer information and answer questions. However there was no presentation and questions and answers were done one-on-one. Mary Patrick, chairman of the TWG, wanted people to be able to ask questions aloud where everyone could hear the answers.

About a dozen people commented and asked questions at Thursday’s forum, and virtually all were opposed to having a solar farm in the county. Several were vehemently opposed and made their feelings quite clear.

Six representatives of EDP were there, including the development’s project manager, members of the environmental team, their community outreach director and others. They fielded questions from the audience.

They said the project is really young and they want to provide information before the next step which is permitting. According to a handout, Shy Place Solar Park would go into operation in 2028.

Jim Belcher asked how they chose the site, and do they consider trying to limit habitat loss.

Their response was that they look for large contiguous parcels of land and an owner who is willing. It is a rigorous process, the property must be near transmission lines . Keeping a low impact on the environment is important, as is honing in on sensitive areas, and providing project specific vegetative systems to enhance the ecological value.

He also asked where the panels that will be used are manufactured. The answer was the two panels they brought as examples, one of which is manufactured in Dalton, GA., and the other is made in Vietnam. They don’t know yet where they would get the panels.

Mark Logan had several questions, including asking what brought them to Jasper County and how is it going to benefit the county. They explained again how they found sites, and said they are in the early stages before permitting, and will work with the county to set up strong ordinances.

He and others questioned what happens if the company goes out of business. The EDP representatives explained that the state laws protect the county and the county ordinances should protect the county. He said the company is headquarted in Spain, and how would it work if they did not hold up their end of the agreement.

The EDP people said that’s why safeguards are put in place, and reiterated they are developer, owner and operator so its in their best interest to follow the rules .

Miriam Pope was very vocal about how much it would cost the county if the company went under or didn’t comply with ruls, and the county tired to sue them. She said solar panels are ugly and companies abandon them and leave it to the county to clean up.

In answer to questions from Pat Will, the company representatives said they want to be good neighbors. EDP said doing them across the country they have agreements with individual landowners, grid operator, and communities. They want to be a member of the community in the long term. The company representatives repeatedly said they want to be open and transparent, and good neighbors.

Dave Norton of Newborn, a representative of save East Newton. Asked what was happening in Jasper County that made this needed. Hes aid he learned Newton County is expecting 60,000 new people in the next 25 years. EDP responded that the project is a three or four decade project.

John Henderson expressed his concerns about habitat loss, and said the county doesn’t have the infrastructure to held much groundwater pollution. He also spoke about stormwater pollution and asked about waste management plans.

Vic Columbus prefaced his remarks by saying anyone should have the right to do what they want on their own land. He gave a detailed explanation of how the property owner was chosen and how he benefits.

Jason Bunn said Gov. Brian Kemp sold out the state with jobs we didn’t need, requiring immigrants (sometimes illegal) to fulfill the needed workforce. He said the county has to take the initiative to address the negatives.

Stephanie Puckett asked why it was even being discussed since the commissioners already passed an ordinance saying no solar farms in the county. She questioned the commissioner present, Don Jernigan, and he said he got poor information on the downside of solar farms, and changed his mind when he learned more. She suggested maybe the landowner paid commissioners to change their minds. She went on to say people should be able to do what they want with their land, but not an “industrial solar farm.” She said she is in favor of solar, but not an industrial farm. She asked how the county would benefit from the project.

A close neighbor of the property said he views the property out his window…he can see it sitting on his couch. He

asked is he was going to have to wear sunglasses to look out the window.

EDP representatives said there would be a natural buffer and they would certainly consider his comments and his view.A woman from Putnam County Taxpayer Watchdog Group accosted Commissioner Jernigan as well for having “changed his mind.” She said she saw no benefit to the taxpayers.

The company representatives were asked how many lawsuits had it filed against counties, but none of the representatives knew the answer.

Local economic development officials at earlier meetings said the project would bring in more than four million in taxes with it being much more over the life of the project…possibly tens of millions.

The property in consideration is a 3,000 acre tract that EDP is proposing 2,000 acres of solar panels, with the other land being buffers and wildlife habitat. The panels would not be spread evenly over 2,000 acres, rather they would be several individual groups of panels, each separately fenced.

Someone did question the type of fencing that would be used, and were assured habitat is a company priority.

After some two hours of questions, Ms. Patrick stopped the forum, and said that they need to be out of the Courthouse by 9. That left a few minutes for individual questions, and a general exodus.