Iberia Parish committee advances solar ordinance amid heated public debate over Recurrent Energy project

The Health & Safety Committee advanced a draft ordinance to regulate large-scale solar power plants on June 25, 2025, opening a 14-day publication period that will bring the measure back to the full Iberia Parish Council for final action.

The draft — intended to replace the moratorium set to expire in August — drew several hours of public comment from a mix of landowners, developer representatives and neighborhood residents. George Trappe, who said his family has leased property to Recurrent Energy, asked the council to “table this draft ordinance, come to Recurrent’s meeting tomorrow night … and continue to work with all the parties involved to come up with a sensible solution” rather than adopt rules that could stop the project’s economic feasibility.

Recurrent Energy representatives told the committee they support reasonable local regulation and additional public engagement. Ben Kerr, the company’s lead developer for the proposed Acadiana Solar Project, said the project would represent a roughly $175 million investment and estimated tax and school-revenue benefits if developed, asking the council to “allow for time for that to take place” and to work with the developer on siting standards.

Neighbors urged caution. Multiple residents cited health and environmental concerns, potential declines in property values, and questions about who would pay decommissioning costs and secure panels ahead of hurricanes. Lisa Corville, who said she lives near the proposed site, warned of possible risks from electromagnetic fields, glare and water contamination and asked the council to keep industrial solar out of residential areas. David DeGroat Jr., who described himself as living on the edge of the affected area, said that “one family shouldn’t affect all these families,” urging protections for nearby homeowners.

Committee members discussed how to balance those concerns with the state law on solar siting. Several members favored moving a cleaned-up, final draft into publication so the public can review it before the full council vote; others urged more time to amend the rough draft. Legal counsel cautioned that a one-mile setback included in the draft would likely be treated as an effective ban and be vulnerable in court, saying such an extreme buffer “is not gonna stand if it goes to court.”

If advanced tonight, the ordinance will be published for two weeks and then return to full council for final consideration. The committee and staff said they will post a finalized, legible draft to the parish website and use the Pins notification system and direct email to alert residents when the text is available. Supporters and opponents alike said they intend to use the publication period to continue outreach and technical review.

Next steps: the committee vote moved the draft to publication; the full council is expected to consider final passage after the required publication window and before the moratorium deadline in late August if amendments are required.

Sources: Committee discussion and public comments at the June 25, 2025 Iberia Parish Council and Joint Committee meeting. Quotes are from speakers who identified themselves for the record.