Public raises notice and land-use questions at Carroll County hearing on Pine Branch solar project; supervisors table agreement

Carroll County held a public hearing on Sept. 3 for a proposed utility-scale solar and battery siting agreement (the Pine Branch project). Residents and advocates raised questions about local benefits, notice and decommissioning; the board ultimately voted to table the agreement until a later meeting.

Greg Alger, who said he learned of the project only last week, asked whether electricity generated would serve Carroll County or be pushed onto the regional grid and questioned community notification. "I didn't even know about this solar panel thing till last week," he said, adding that neighbors had not been informed.

Ben Wilson, director of strategy and engagement at Energy Right, a Virginia nonprofit, urged the board to keep private property rights and landowners' interests central as the county considers renewable projects.

Chris Simmons, development manager for Samsung working on the Pine Branch site, responded to concerns. He said the project is roughly 40 megawatts, "enough to power over 7,000 residences," and that the facility will interconnect to a high-voltage transmission line so power flows where system demand directs. Simmons said the developer sent mailers to properties within roughly a quarter- to half-mile of the site, held a community meeting at the senior center, and is open to continued engagement. On land use, Simmons said panels occupy commercial land for the project's term and can be removed and returned to agricultural use after decommissioning.

In response to questions about vegetation management beneath arrays, Simmons said the developer is open to local maintenance contractors and grazing ("open to sheep grazing or... a commercial landscape or milling company"). He acknowledged no decommissioned projects in his portfolio to date but said agronomists advise that land can return to farming after panels are removed.

After public comment closed, Supervisor Dixon moved to table the siting agreement until the next meeting. The motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote with all voting members recording "yes." The board also approved a later joint public hearing with the Planning Commission to consider a solar siting and battery storage policy as part of the comprehensive plan.

Next steps announced include continued community outreach by the developer and a future Board and Planning Commission hearing to consider siting policy.