Issues
Because this project includes storage, a proposed storage project recently before the Board of Zoning Appeals in the City of Madison may be of interest. The project raised questions about safety regarding fire, tornadoes, and violent weather.
County residents’ recent experience with at least one proposed use of agricultural land gave both county officials and county residents the opportunity to think about and discuss land use and planning issues. In 2019, a “waste farm” was approved by the county’s fiscal court. Residents objected strongly after learning of it, and the enterprise had been rejected by at least one other county. The residents mobilized against what they referred to as the “sludge farm”, and as a result, the County looked at reinstating planning and zoning ordinances, which had been suspended pending revision. The suspension meant that both home and agriculture restrictions were lifted. Ultimately, the company withdrew its proposal and the “sludge farm” was not placed in the county.
Other wind or solar projects nearby that encountered opposition:
- Rhudes Creek Solar Project, ibV Energy Partners, Hardin County – opposition from Citizens for Responsible Solar
Facebook pages or websites organizing opposition:
- Citizens for Responsible Solar, a funded and organized solar opposition group is active in the region. On the other side of Louisville, a local affiliate Hardin County Citizens for Responsible Solar organized against ibV Energy Partners’ Rhudes Creek Solar Project. The group uses similar attack lines across different regions including (1) protecting prime farmland from solar development, (2) decreases in property values, and (3) a company’s acceptance of the solar ITC, (4) storm water runoff and drainage problems, (5) soil and water contamination concerns, (6) increase electricity costs, and (7) panels being manufactured in China. The Hardin group has a website. Vesper should be prepared to encounter similar opposition in Trimble County as the counties share many attributes.
Other projects that are completed or moving forward in the region include:
- Open Road Renewables/Williams Power, LLC Battery farm comes before BZA for variance | News | madisoncourier.com.pdf BZA clears way for battery farm on hilltop | News | madisoncourier.com.pdf
This project is the only on the list located within close proximity to the county. It is located just north of Trimble County in neighboring Jefferson County, Indiana. This 10-acre site is proposed for Madison, but is also located in the City’s 2-mile buffer zone. The project went before Madison’s Board of Zoning Appeals in July to seek a variance and a longer period before reapplication (typical is 1-3 years). The company bought the land from a farmer and it is currently zoned agricultural.
“Most of the questions posed by BZA members were answered on Monday except for one brought by Scott Baldwin, the BZA chairman, who asked what would happen if the complex was struck by a tornado or violent weather since the hilltop area has been hit often by storms in the past. Ochs said he did not have engineering data on such a scenario but noted he could find that information and report back to the BZA.”
In November 2022, the BZA approved a conditional use permit, a variance to development standards, and a variance requiring no reapplication for a change in ownership. The CUP has a duration of 50 years.
Crittenden and Walton are a series of Duke Energy solar project built northeast of Trimble County. The projects are operational and did not appear to spur significant community backlash.
- Savion Energy [Project Map - Savion Renewable Energy]
Martin County Solar Project will be located on a former coal mine in the county. The 200MW 1,200 acre facility should be operational in 2024. This will be one of the largest solar generation facilities in the state. This project will partner with Edelen Renewables, a local company. The project was approved by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) for up to $600,000 in tax incentives in accordance with the Kentucky Enterprise Initiative Act (KEIA).
- Henderson Solar (2020) [Henderson Solar buys 418 acres in 4 Star Industrial Park]
The company bought 418 acres in 4 Star Industrial Park to complete their land acquisition of 1,700 acres to build a generating facility. Construction was slated to start in 2022.
- LG&E and KU Company [New 125-megawatt solar facility from LG&E KU planned for Kentucky] (2021)
A solar facility to be constructed in McCracken County by BrightNight will generate about 125MW. Solar Alliance Energy contracts with LG&U and KU
- Solar Alliance [Solar Alliance to build 3 commercial systems at Ky., Tenn. farms] (2020)
“Solar Alliance Energy Inc. has announced it has signed agreements to build commercial solar systems at three farms in Kentucky and Tennessee . . .
Solar Alliance continues to work with Boyd CAT on signing additional solar systems for agricultural businesses located in Southern Indiana and Kentucky. According to the Kentucky Poultry Federation, there are more than 850 large-scale poultry farms in Kentucky, and together, Solar Alliance and Boyd CAT are targeting them for solar deployment.”
Trimble Generating Station
The county is home to the Trimble County Generating Station which provides up to 2,234 MW of electricity from coal-fired generation and natural gas combustion turbines. Coal ash and waste generated from this process is toxic and presents a significant problem for the health of nearby residents and agriculture through groundwater contamination and coal ash particulates.
In the News
News articles or letters to the editor expressing wind or solar opposition:
There do not appear to be any news stories related to opposition of utility-scale solar.
- FOCUS investigates customers’ complaints against a solar company: While the solar systems covered in this story are not utility-scale, it is worth noting that residents might not make a distinction and this is a challenge some residents may be aware of and could cause initial skepticism of Vesper’s project.
Problems discussed in the news in the county with links to the articles:
