Dominion Energy’s 3 MW ‘Bluegrass’ solar proposal rejected after contentious hearing
Loading...
Summary
After lengthy public comment and debate over buffers, decommissioning and community impacts, the Campbell County Board of Supervisors voted 4–3 to deny Dominion Energy’s special‑use request for a 3‑megawatt solar project at Gladys, following concerns about screening, safety on Hwy 501 and long‑term land use.
Dominion Energy’s proposal for a 3‑megawatt solar facility on about 13.4 acres in Gladys drew a large, divided turnout Wednesday night. After hearing the company’s presentation and dozens of public comments both supporting and opposing the project, the board voted 4–3 against the special‑use permit.
Dominion’s senior generation development manager, Morgan Vickery, described the “Bluegrass” project as a 3‑MW distributed generation installation sited on already‑cleared portions of a 60‑acre parcel, with a 20‑foot landscape buffer around the fence line, a larger enhanced buffer along Highway 501, and a decommissioning plan. Vickery also offered a proposed $80,000 milestone payment to the county spread across construction milestones.
Supporters including nearby landowners said the project would add predictable revenue for the county, create modest local economic activity and allow landowners to keep property in agricultural use. Opponents raised concerns about aesthetics, property values, highway safety on 501 during construction, toxic materials in panels and the long‑term permanence of solar arrays. Several residents asked whether the county would truly see decommissioning and whether panels are sourced overseas.
Board debate focused on enforceable conditions: limiting the permitted area to the proposed 13.4 acres and 3 MW, requiring the proposed buffers and that the front buffer plantings be completed prior to construction, setting a decommissioning bond and adopting the county’s updated decommissioning standards. A substitute motion to delay the decision 30 days failed; on the final vote the board rejected the permit application 4–3.
What this means: The board’s decision preserves the status quo for this parcel and signals continuing skepticism among a majority of supervisors about new solar projects in the county unless developers accept strict, enforceable conditions that match the county’s updated code. Dominion representatives said the firm had worked to respond to concerns, proposed financial mitigation and offered to include preconstruction buffering and bonding, but the board declined to approve the request.
Next steps: Dominion may revise the application, propose different conditions, or pursue the project through another parcel or an adjusted plan. Staff indicated conditions could be tightened if the applicant returns with modifications.
