Officials with the Kentucky Electric Generation & Transmission Siting Board and its Public Service Commission have much to ponder in the coming days, following Monday night’s public forum in the Christian County Fiscal Court’s chambers — surrounding the oft-discussed 690-acre, 125-megawatt merchant-generating solar farm project known as Oriden’s Dogwood Corners LLC.
What began as a 550-acre, 150-megawatt project first approved in June 2022 has become, some say, a divisive watershed moment for the state’s second-largest county — one proud of its agricultural prowess and more than 200,000 acres of tillable landmass, but also its recent embrace of manufacturing and technological innovation.
Just last week, Oriden’s civil suit was banished by Christian County Circuit Judge John Atkins, due to the fiscal court’s move to adopt codified KRS statute retroactive to Summer 2023.
Yet, as of now, the effort moves ahead.
For more than an hour, 15 individuals relayed concerns, concessions and coronations of the potential electric attraction — in hopes the five-person PSC favors their cause.
Wayne Hunt, H&R Agri-Power’s chairman & CEO, once again confirmed his heavy use of solar panels on rooftops and other business buildings. However, he added that large, in-ground installations serve as a threat to production agriculture — and that reclaimed coal mines would serve as a better locale for solar farms.
Jerry Noel, of Greenville Road, said his family was “in the midst” of the project, and they are “totally, totally against it.”
Brian Burkhead, also of Greenville Road, noted that:
— When Oriden first approached the fiscal court with a $200 million revenue bond, all neighbors of the optioned land had permission and no problems with the plan, which he called a lie.
— There was some initial disregarding of the local solar panel ordinance.
— And offers for public comments, as well as meeting times, have been poorly advertised.
He also stated that landowners’ rights end “when they infringe on [his],” that there would be little hunting option if the project was successful, and that part-time construction workers building the project wouldn’t be the ones living next to and forever dealing with the installation.
Also a Dogwood resident, State Senator Whitney Westerfield said neither he, nor his immediate nearby family members, were notified of the potentially-impending construction.
Brandon Garnett, of Old Edwards Mill Road and Greenville Road, urged that Christian County’s rich, arable farmland was a key asset in keeping companies like Siemer Milling and Krusteaz in the region, and Hopkinsville atop the food chain in producing corn, wheat and soybeans.
He also questioned how the decommissioning bond for this land could even have a specified value this far in advance.
Casey Richardson, of Ohio County and representative of carpenters millwrights in the area, was one of many to stand for the laborers who would be responsible for the project — should it break ground.
He confirmed more than 50 fellow members reside in Hopkinsville and are currently working on the Ascend Elements Apex 1 structure in Commerce Park II, and that he and many others would not only be pleased to have work options closer to friends and family, but would like to have close-by access to apprenticeships with the younger workforce.
Richardson also stressed that he wouldn’t have made it as a third-generation farmer, that trades were more successful for him, and that any decommissioning plan should come with a local ordinance requiring the land be developed into a wildlife management area.
Pat Morris, of Pembroke Road, said he believed in landowners rights, but supported Dogwood Corners LLC because would take up less than a percent of Christian County’s farmland, and that a solar project like this would create new opportunities for agri-voltage.
Former Hopkinsville councilwoman Marby Schlegel also argued that if energy options needed to come to Christian County, they needed to be green.
A formal hearing on this project, where more citizens participation is encouraged, is planned for 1 PM February 7 at the PSC in Frankfort.
Oral public comments can be offered prior to the session, but public comments can also be made in writing by email to psc.comment@ky.gov, or by regular mail at P.O. Box 615, 211 Sower Boulevard, Frankfort, Kentucky, 40602-0615.
The case number, 2023-00246, must be used in the email subject line, and one must also include a full name and place of residence in the body of an email or written letter.
A timeline of events:
— Notice of intent was originally filed with the Siting Board on July 24, 2023.
— An Application and Site Assessment Report were filed September 11, 2023.
— The applicant notified adjacent landowners August 8, 2023.
— The applicant conducted public meetings on September 22, 2022, and August 17, 2023.
Potential asks for similar projects, per the PSC:
— Planting native species that will shield the project, and preserve scenic surroundings
— Limit construction hours, typically from 9 AM until 5 PM
— Requirements to repair damage to roads, bridges in coordination with the county
— Specific decommissioning plans requiring land restoration
— Bond with the county for the life to the project to ensure decommissioning
Criteria PSC follows for the site application:
— Impact on scenic surroundings, property values and surrounding roads
— Anticipated noise levels during construction and facility operation
— Economic impact on region and state
— Meeting local planning and zoning requirements
— Impact of additional load on the reliability of jurisdictional utilities
— Setback requirement
— Efficacy of mitigating measures proposed by the applicant
— Whether the applicant has a good environmental compliance history
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