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Residents urge caution on proposed Energix solar projects; county plans baseline ordinance
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Summary
Visitors raised health, environmental and zoning concerns about proposed Energix solar projects; county attorney and administrator said state rules and specific agreements guide local regulation and the commission set a November target for a baseline solar ordinance.
Multiple visitors at the Tazewell County Planning Commission's Sept. 14 meeting urged the county to limit or tightly regulate proposed Energix solar projects, citing health, land-use and remediation concerns.
Jim Best, a visitor who said he lives off-grid, listed concerns including installation of panels near a state park entrance, potential contamination from heavy metals, the lack of local zoning for some solar projects and the loss of agricultural land. He told the commission his home uses different panels than those proposed and said residents were worried about impacts to children and the land.
County Attorney Chase Collins cautioned that the Commonwealth sets legal limits and that "the Attorney General does not allow spot zoning," noting the complexity of local zoning challenges for solar projects. County Administrator Eric Young (participating by phone) outlined three paths for local regulation: "1. Board passes an Ordinance; 2. Specific Agreement; 3. Solar company applies to Planning Commission (exempt local taxation)," and said the comprehensive plan should explicitly address green energy.
Visitor Robert Carlson raised fiscal and safety questions, estimating the project could earn "6 million" and suggesting a revenue-sharing example of $200,000 against a cited $154,000,000 budget; he also asked who would be responsible for fire response and remediation and recommended a performance surety bond and knowledge of the parent company. Allan Gorospe, a disabled veteran, said he had signed a petition opposing the solar farm and expressed general health concerns for the county.
Commissioners and staff agreed the topic warrants formal planning work. Chase Collins said a tentative date in November 2023 was set to present a Baseline Solar Ordinance Plan and asked commissioners to submit comments by Oct. 12. The commission did not take formal action on any solar project at the meeting; the item will be addressed through the ordinance process and future planning sessions.