Leeward Energy hears feedback from Hinckley residents at Burr Oak Solar open house
Residents of Hinckley had an opportunity to speak with representatives of Leeward Energy about the planned Burr Oak Solar facility at an open house Monday evening. The solar site would be located on several plots of land north of Hinckley, mostly on the south side of Perry Road and west of Somonauk Road.
Leeward’s vice president of development Kevin Adelman said it was good to speak to members of the public about the project and figure out what concerns they may have and how they can address them if possible. He says many of their concerns focused on the loss of farmland for the project.
“Yeah. I mean, that’s a common question we get and a common concern. And I think the reality is just as you put. right? This is a temporary use. These are projects that are installed on a minimal infrastructure, and at the end of their 30 year life, they’re removed. Underneath all the solar panels, we’re planting native seed species, which we have to work with the soil and water conservation district to approve, that let the ground lay fallow for 30 years. So at the end of the day, all that land has been sitting and resting with good vegetation for a long time. And when we remove our our equipment, there’s been minimal infrastructure actually impacting the soil. So it comes out in great quality.”
Laborers Local 32 field representative Jake Castanza was on-site with other members of the union, as they showed their support of the project. They believe that solar is part of the future, and local union labor will help make the construction better for the community.
“So there’s many ways to build solar farms, but laborers are always a part of that. Whether it’s putting the post in the ground, assembling the many complicated pieces. There’s a skill and a process that requires an organized manner. And organized labor, especially the laborers, are proficient in these sorts of applications and work scopes. So we do see ourselves on these projects.”
Some residents voiced their displeasure, questioning the process and how the land will be affected by the solar panels and other construction. One resident said he was not opposed to solar but was opposed to the location chosen.
“I am against it in the location that it is being placed. Not against solar, but I am against using prime farmland in DeKalb County to put the solar on it. It should be on marginal land or in areas where the land is not as productive.”
Adelman says a project application was filed with DeKalb County on Friday, and a public hearing is expected to take place in about a month but no date has made official by the county yet. If the project is approved, Leeward still anticipates construction to begin no later than 2027.