Fauquier supervisors decline to authorize public hearing for Summer Sweet Energy Center siting agreement

The Fauquier County Board of Supervisors voted to withhold authorization for a public hearing on a proposed siting (signing) agreement with Summer Sweet Energy Center LLC, a proposed battery energy storage project, after supervisors cited concerns about the project’s proximity to an elementary school and urged more public engagement and clarity on landowner compliance.

Chris Meyer, speaking for the project proponent, asked the board to proceed with a signing agreement that he said would deliver community benefits such as donations to local schools and the fire station. Meyer said the company had conducted community outreach — letters to the village of Morrisville and two community meetings with roughly 15 attendees, additional informational sessions for volunteer fire staff, and direct outreach to nearby property owners — and acknowledged that the landowner had not been in compliance with zoning earlier. "I again acknowledge I erred in this and should have moved quicker to force the land owner to get that resolved. My apologies," Meyer said, and offered to coordinate a permitting and public hearing process so the fire chief, county staff and the public could review benefits proposed in the signing agreement.

Several supervisors said they supported battery storage in appropriate locations but had reservations about the proposed site. One supervisor cited unease with placing a first-of-its-kind project next to an elementary school and moved that the board not authorize a public hearing on the siting agreement; other supervisors agreed and the motion to deny authorization carried.

County staff reminded the board that the planning commission had voted 4–1 in November to find the special-exception application not consistent with the comprehensive plan and to recommend denial of the special exception. Supervisors said they wanted to see a clearer demonstration that the site is appropriate before discussing costs or community benefits. There was no roll-call vote recorded in the transcript; the chair called for aye votes and the motion carried.

Meyer acknowledged missteps in timing and compliance and offered to work with county staff to schedule a public hearing at a later date when technical answers and public-safety questions could be addressed by the fire chief and fire marshal.

Ending: The board declined to authorize a public hearing at this meeting; the company representative said he would return when compliance, public outreach and technical responses could be aligned.