Chase City residents clash over Long Road Energy's solar project proposal

The Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors convened on May 12, 2025, to discuss a proposed solar project on Scotts Crossroads, which has sparked significant community debate. The meeting featured public comments from local residents, highlighting contrasting perspectives on the project’s potential impact on the community and environment.

The session began with a speaker expressing concerns about the financial implications of the solar project, which reportedly escalated from an initial cost of $12,000 to $100,000. Lisa Davis Bishop, a lifelong resident of the area, passionately opposed the project, arguing that solar energy is inefficient and poses risks to local ecosystems. She emphasized the potential loss of homes and farmland, urging the board to consider the long-term consequences of replacing trees with solar panels. Bishop warned of increased electric bills and environmental degradation, asserting that the project would not benefit the local community.

Following Bishop, Susan Mullen shared her perspective, reflecting on the decline of Chase City and advocating for solar energy as a means to generate revenue and support local schools. She highlighted the need for clean energy and economic revitalization, suggesting that solar panels could provide a solution to the town's financial struggles.

John Mullen, also in favor of the project, detailed his family's involvement with Long Road Energy, the company behind the solar initiative. He argued that the site in question is not prime farmland and has been managed as a timber tract for over a century. Mullen asserted that the solar project represents the highest and best use of the land, emphasizing the economic benefits it could bring to the community.

Joel Cathy, a forester with extensive experience in the area, echoed support for the project, citing the need for economic alternatives for landowners. He praised Long Road Energy for addressing community concerns and expressed confidence in the project's potential to be a positive addition to the region.

The meeting underscored the division within the community regarding the solar project, with some residents advocating for economic development and clean energy, while others raised concerns about environmental impacts and the preservation of local farmland. The Board of Supervisors will need to weigh these perspectives as they consider the future of the proposed solar project on Scotts Crossroads.