Vanderburgh County tables agreements with Orion Renewable Energy after public concern

Vanderburgh County commissioners on Tuesday voted to table three county agreements tied to a proposed large-scale solar project by Orion Renewable Energy Group LLC after more than a dozen residents raised questions about environmental impacts, drainage, decommissioning and community outreach.

The tabled agreements are an economic development agreement, a decommissioning agreement and a roadway-use agreement that together would govern payments to the county, removal of equipment at end of life and repair of public roads damaged during construction. Reid Schmidt, an attorney for Orion, told commissioners the company had scheduled several public meetings and offered one-on-one follow-ups for neighbors. "We want to work cooperatively with the neighbors," Schmidt said, and encouraged attendees to bring written questions so Orion could prepare answers.

Why it matters: The project, as described to the county, would sit on roughly 900 acres and include utility-scale arrays, substations and battery storage. County counsel and outside negotiators said the developer negotiated terms that would limit fiscal impacts tied to recent state law changes (referenced in the meeting as "SB 1") and would include a $500,000 one‑time payment to the county on top of local tax revenue. Neighbors said the scale and siting raise concerns about farmland loss, drainage, visual impacts and waste handling when panels are removed.

What commissioners heard: Multiple speakers from the Baseline Road area urged the board to reject or delay the agreements. Eric Cure, identifying himself as a retired physician, said large installations consume "an inordinate amount of land" and urged the board to vote against the agreements. Brenda Cook, a resident who said she has experience with Tenaska solar fields, asked for specific language addressing disposal and recycling of panels during decommissioning, noting other states have had landfill contamination concerns. Several speakers raised questions about stormwater runoff, underground electrical feeds along Baseline Road and whether CenterPoint or another utility would be the ultimate buyer of exported energy.

Developer and legal response: County negotiators and Orion representatives said the agreements include a decommissioning bond and timeframes for removal. Reid Schmidt said Orion had set up a public presentation labeled "Solar 101" and follow-up appointments; he asked residents to attend tomorrow's meeting, provide written questions and, if necessary, schedule one-on-one sessions at Orion's office. Mike Schottmeyer, an attorney working on the county side, urged caution and recommended commissioners permit Orion to address community questions before the county takes final action. "The remonstrators and the neighbors have not had much opportunity to look at these three agreements," he said.

The vote: Commissioners unanimously voted to table the three county agreements with Orion Renewable Energy Group LLC to allow more time for community review and developer responses.

What’s next: Orion representatives said they will meet with residents at a public session scheduled the following evening and offer additional meetings for those with outstanding questions. The Board indicated a BZA hearing and an August quasi‑judicial review are likely next procedural steps for any land‑use approvals.

Ending note: Commissioners and Orion both told the public they wanted substantive dialogue; several residents asked for clearer engineering information about conduit routes and stormwater plans ahead of any permit or contract approvals.