Residents voice support, concern on solar at weekend hearing

MONROE CITY — Hundreds of individuals gathered at the Blue Jeans Community Center for a special weekend public hearing on the county’s 2020 solar ordinance and the proposed changes, giving those who wish to speak the opportunity to do so.

It was decided at the Feb. 17 Knox County Commissioner meeting that a Sunday meeting would be held to allow those who work during regular meeting hours a chance to attend before the commissioner’s Tuesday meeting.

On Sunday, commissioners listened to dozens speak, with both concerns and support expressed.

Husband and wife duo Rod and Penny Meyers shared that they and their family grew up and still live on a farm, supporting landowners’ rights.

Rod said it is his right to choose for himself and his family — what’s best for his legacy — and that he believes solar will provide “a much-needed funding to uphold our critical infrastructure…”

Penny added that it isn’t correct to take the choice of participating in solar or not from the landowners by creating larger setbacks. She said that change with solar can happen and it is hard, but it is “more so on the people than it is the land.”

Ethan Deckard shared with commissioners that he is pro-farming, pro-land rights and pro-solar energy. Deckard stated he believes solar energy is going to be vital to the power grid with people’s never-ending need for energy and then also with the emergence of artificial intelligence data centers.

“All forms of power creation should be welcomed, especially those like solar that have no fuel costs and create stable, low-cost energy,” Deckard said.

Barry Baldwin also touched on how the acceptance of solar may help Knox County get ahead of and be ready for these large-scale AI data centers that are popping up across the state.

“We’re talking a massive need for energy over the next 10 years,” Baldwin said. “We have the opportunity to capitalize. We have the opportunity to make Knox County a generator rather than a consumer.”

A few others spoke in support of the Knox County Area Plan Commission recommends changes of having vegetative screening and buffering to block the sight of panels from neighbors and extend the 200-foot setback to 300 feet, calling it comprisable.

Resident and Marine Mitch Meek shared he plans on staying in the area with his family, but with solar making its way to the county, he has many questions and fears for any accidents — financially or environmentally — that can happen due to a lack of research.

He also raised questions such as how property values will be impacted and whether safety data sheets will be public and how the hazmat of battery storage facilities will be handled.

“I hope everyone knows how bad this can turn out, landowners and politicians, especially when elections roll around, when and if these companies swindle our county,” Meek said. “I’m interested in the health and safety of my community.”

Robert Merydith spoke on behalf of Knox County Coalition for Safe Solar, stating that the coalition is made up of approximately 600 residents that are farmers, teacher, retirees and working families who are “not totally opposed to solar development, as long as it’s done right.”

He added that other counties have adopted stronger protections, and the questions proposed about the unknown are not unreasonable. Merydith asked commissioners to support a moratorium on new solar applications until protections are put in place, much like those in Dearborn County.

Eddie Felling, an attorney from Terre Haute, shared that he had drafted a revamp of the current ordinance to address items such as future companies only having to go before area planning, not commissioners, no baselines for EDAs, no requirements set forth for the number of buildings associated with projects, environmental studies and more.

Felling also highlighted the decommissioning of projects and that his job is to ask the what-ifs, such as what if the company doesn’t start decommissioning when they agreed?

“This is about setting forth the protections and setting up the standards,” Felling said. “I would ask you to follow through with what was discussed at the last commissioner meeting and very seriously consider a moratorium while you work toward getting more stringent.”

At the commissioner’s Tuesday morning meeting, the three reflected and discussed the many points brought to their attention. Commissioner President TJ Brink and Commissioner Kellie Streeter were fine with the area plan’s recommendation of 300 feet; however, Commissioner Vice President Tim Ellerman, Jr. suggested 500 feet. Commissioners also discussed extra testing of water, and asked Porter to go more in depth on requirements for the prevention of pollution.

Brink also suggested a more in-depth description on screening to go allowing with area plans recommendations — adding two rows of staggered trees, adding native plants and creating corridors for migratory wildlife.

Streeter stated that there are still several items that need addressed and is working with individuals to discuss concerns such as water. She also stressed keeping in mind state laws that will need to be met.

After hearing public input and Tuesday’s meeting, it was decided that suggestions from commissioners were given to legal counsel Andrew Porter to draft an amended ordinance for the April 7 meeting.