Lexington Locals Express Concerns Over Proposed Solar Farms
Neighbors in Lexington, KY, voiced their apprehensions over the proposed development of two solar farms in the area, during an information session held by the 12th District office on a recent Monday. A significant area of contention revolved around the proposed sites’ locations, which currently constitute agricultural land.
Proposed Solar Farms in Lexington
Two solar projects have been proposed around the Haley Road vicinity, off of Winchester Road. Silicon Ranch, a private company based in Nashville, plans to acquire approximately 800 acres for a solar energy farm. This project would run alongside a smaller 384-acre solar scheme proposed by the East Kentucky Power Cooperative.
Residents’ Concerns
The proposed developments did not sit well with the locals, as evident from their emotional expressions. One asked, “Why do you want to do this here? Find land elsewhere. We want you gone. Gone,” thus underscoring the dissent amongst community members.
Others argued that such developments would disrupt agricultural activities and consequently, food supply chains. They expressed concerns with the argument that neither solar panels nor houses can replace farming as a source of sustenance.
Further concerns included the potential implications of such projects should the county change its policies to permit large-scale solar developments. This move, residents argued, could jeopardize the integrity of the agricultural rural zone.
A neighbor, Patrick Mason, who lives near the proposed sites, stated, “I support solar, but I wonder why now and why here.“
Developer Response
Meanwhile, representatives from both Silicon Ranch and the East Kentucky Power Cooperative affirmed their intent to collaborate with the community to address their concerns. They highlighted the suitability of the proposed sites for solar farms due to favorable sun exposure and proximity to a substation.
Nick Comer from EKPC reiterated, “This is being built to serve Kentucky residents and businesses.“
Moreover, the developers responded to concerns about the solar farms’ long-term impacts by promising to make their decommissioning plans available and committing to leave the land ‘better than they found it.’
The Way Forward
Silicon Ranch’s proposal will await approval from the city’s planning commission and then the urban county council. In contrast, as a public utility, EKPC’s proposal requires state-level authorization – a move against which the city and Fayette Alliance have already filed petitions.
The Executive Director of Fayette Alliance, Brittany Roethemeier, remains worried about the potential loss of farmland and the consequent precedent that granting conditional use permits in an agricultural zone could establish.
As the debate around sustainable energy versus agricultural preservation intensifies, the fate of these proposed solar farms hangs in the balance. The decisions made here could set vital precedents for future rural development and green energy initiatives in the area.
