Concerns over solar farms plague Washington County, Virginia
ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) – On Tuesday, the Washington County Virginia Board of Supervisors heard a presentation from Catalyst Energy Partners about their proposal to put up solar farms.
The proposed areas are several parcels off Wyndale Road in Abingdon. Together, the total acreage is around 1,800.
The proposal was met with pushback from many neighboring residents.
“This has been somewhat of a secret,” William Bish, who lives on Wyndale Road, said. “I first became aware of it by some signs posted along the road which are now missing.”
Many who spoke during public comment on Tuesday’s meeting said they wish they had more of a notice about the proposal.
Bish said he sees no benefit to the installation of the solar panels in that area.
“I think they came to Southwest Virginia because they thought a bunch of country bumpkins lived up here and they could pull the wool over their eyes and I think that’s exactly what they’re trying to do,” Bish said.
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Others are in favor of having the solar panels put up. Including Lake Wagner, president of Green Valley Poultry Farms where a parcel of the panels is proposed.
Wagner spoke during public comment about how Catalyst Energy Partners have worked with him about developing on his land.
Steve Malnight, President & Director of Catalyst Energy Partners, talked about their proposal and answered questions from board supervisors.
He addressed concerns dealing with the decommissioning of the panels, the possibility of different ownership and issues with vegetation. The panels would be leased for 30 to 35 years.
Malnight said the panels would be recycled. He did say it is possible different companies could buy the panels, but would have to agree to prior agreements. He also mentioned using grazing sheep to help with vegetation.
“They said it was a $300 million project; I don’t think they can find anybody to ensure that that can be done if they just pick up and leave or if they sell it to another company who won’t abide by the rules and the contractual arrangements,” Bish said.
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Many nearby residents who spoke during public comment also mentioned how the sight of solar panels would obscure the natural landscape.
“It is an eyesore,” Bish said. “I have seen them out west going into Las Vegas. Acres after acres and they are ugly. But in addition to the solar panels themselves [are] the transmission lines, the wires, the infrastructure that has to be done. And some of that will have to be paid for by the county. And then we use up our land. We don’t have room left for residential development, industrial development, things that will really benefit the citizens in the county where this will tie everything up for 35 years.”
The Washington County Planning Commission met on Monday and recommended a zoning ordinance that would re-codify zoning for solar energy projects in the town’s code. It includes a requirement for a siting agreement, decommissioning plan, financial surety and an option to assess taxes on the generation of energy, according to their agenda. The ordinance still has to be approved by the board of supervisors.
Catalyst Energy is hosting a town hall meeting on Thursday, May 30 at John S. Battle High School from 6 to 9 pm.
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