Union Township supervisors to vote on proposed solar farm regulations as early as Sept. 9

Union Township supervisors have a decision to make concerning solar development in the township.

Residents spoke for and against a proposed zoning amendment that would tighten township regulations for commercial solar projects during a public hearing on Aug. 29. It’s now up to supervisors to approve or reject the amendment.

“We’re taking everything we’ve heard into consideration, for and against,” said Brian Gregor, chairman of the township board of supervisors. “We will do the best we can to make a decision that’s in the best interest of the community.”

The proposed changes

The proposed zoning amendment would significantly increase the required distance between solar equipment and neighboring homes, from 150 to 450 feet.

Developers would be required to provide a deposit or other financial security equaling 125% of the estimated cost to remove the solar farm after its useful life, compared to 110% in the current ordinance, which was amended in May 2024.

Once solar panels are no longer productive, generally in about 25 years, the solar company would have to remove them and related equipment within nine months rather than the 12 months currently required.

Opponents of those and other proposed changes say the changes would make it too costly for solar companies to build projects in Union Township and would make most local properties ineligible for solar development.

“Solar projects would not be economically feasible. And it would eliminate my property and others from being considered,” Tim Church told the Erie Times-News. Church has agreed to lease 86 acres of his 200-acre farm along Old Lincolnville Road for a utility-scale solar farm planned by RWE Clean Energy LLC. The solar project would be built on approximately 500 acres, also including land leased by three neighboring property owners.

Other farmers told supervisors that they are entitled to use or lease their properties as they see fit, and that solar projects provide clean energy without harming land that in time can revert to farming.

Supporters of the proposed amendment said stricter regulations are needed to prevent a proliferation of solar farms in the township.

“My biggest concern is that we’re moving too quickly,” Union Township resident Cindy Wells told the Erie Times-News. “We need to start out slowly. We don’t know what all the results are going to be from solar projects. We need to ask some questions and have some restrictions in place so they don’t cover or saturate our township with solar developments that we later find out aren’t what the solar companies are leading us to believe.”

What’s next?

Township supervisors will approve or reject the amendment as early as their next public meeting on Sept. 9.

It won’t be an easy decision, Gregor said. Township officials have had to educate themselves about solar developments and about regulations and projects in place in other municipalities statewide. They also must weigh residents’ wishes.

‘Shadow ban’: Farmers say proposed rules would effectively prohibit solar farms in the township

“We will consider everything we’ve learned, every suggestion given to us and every concern,” Gregor said. “With the community’s support, I feel we will be able to come to an agreement that is good for everybody and good for our community.”

Gregor complimented the public for the strong turnout at the recent public hearing.

“It was good to see the community come together in the interest of the community,” Gregor said. “People were fully involved but very positive and respectful of each other.”

Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@gannett.com.