Shawnee County Planning Commission receives feedback on solar energy regulations

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) — Shawnee County planners are working on solar project guidelines and regulations.

The county’s planning commission held a town hall Monday evening.

“We have been trying to determine whether or not solar is appropriate for Shawnee County,” said Shawnee County Planning Commission director Joni Thadani. “As a part of that, deciding what regulations would need to be put into place if we were to have solar farms in Shawnee County.”

Residents had the chance to share their thoughts on the proposed guidelines.

“They have it limited to the size of 240 acres,” said resident Vicki Arnett. “In order to make a difference, it probably needs to be no less than a thousand acres.”

Others shared their thoughts on solar power in general.

“It doesn’t work,” said resident Richard Johnson. “It depends on weather. Shawnee County, for instance, 40% of the year is cloudy.”

Johnson also referenced other projects in the area.

“The solar was a bad idea,” Johnson said. “We already got approval through our government for the nuclear plant, well considering the nuclear plant. But two generators that are natural gas. So it tells you that they’re not efficient.”

Arnett shared her perspective on favoring solar’s potential.

“We’re absolutely in favor of solar in general,” Arnett said. “Because it’s the cleanest, cheapest energy we can build right now.”

The county wants to hear what everyone has to say.

“We know that there our people in favor of and against,” Thadani said. “I think it’s also helpful not only for them to give input but also to understand the process that we’ve gone through and what it is that we’re looking at.”

Shawnee County Planning Commission will take everything said Monday night into consideration and convene over a final draft at a future date.

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