KNOX Co., Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Some Knox County residents believe a proposed solar farm would be better off in a different area.
A 1,200-acre solar farm, developed by energy company Arevon and Tenaska, would be located in Harrison Township.
Donna Taylor Bouchie lives in Harrison Township. She said she got a letter from Tenaska that the solar farm would be built near her home. She said she made it her mission to make sure those around her knew, too.
“I’ve called commissioners, I’ve gone to the courthouse. I’ve tried to become as informed as I could,” she said.
Audrey Harper is another Harrison Township resident who got the letter. She said she doesn’t like the idea of the panels near her newly built home.
“Out of my big new picture window, I’m going to be staring at a sea of glass solar panels,” Harper said.
If approved, the solar farm would be spread across different parcels of land. It would provide solar energy for electricity for 35 years. It would also be one of the largest in the Midwest.
Some concerned residents, including Harper and Bouchie, want to know why the choice of location.
“That particular location was chosen because the electrical transfer infrastructure was already in place,” said Colt Michaels, Executive Director of Knox County Area Plan Commission.
In a statement from Arevon’s CEO Tiago Sabino:
“The Ratts 2 Solar Project has received a warm welcome in Knox County.
We have eager landowners who voluntarily signed leases to host this solar field for the next 35 years.
Since we started talking with county leaders in early 2020, they have been open and receptive to the benefits the project will bring, as evidenced by the approval of an agreement that will bring $2.5 million in economic development payments to Knox County and the implementation of a solar zoning ordinance that establishes parameters for the solar field. The creation of that ordinance was a public process, and the Area Plan Commission put a lot of thought and diligence into the final language.
We have engaged neighbors of the project over the past five to six months to answer questions and provide them with additional information. Solar fields are quiet neighbors, with no noise or emissions and with panels anticipated to sit no more than 12 feet above ground.
The Ratts 2 Solar Project is a $128 million economic investment in Knox County that will have minimal demand on local services or resources, such as schools or hospitals.
Among the many benefits:
- 188 full-time jobs during construction and 4 full-time jobs during operation
- $20.9 million added to county GDP during construction and $941,000 added annually during operation
- $363,000 in local spending annually during operation
- More than $15 million in property tax payments over the project’s 35-year life
- $2.5 million in economic development payments
- Millions of dollars in lease payments for local landowners over the life of the project
We are excited to be in Knox County and we look forward to bringing these many benefits to the community.”
According to Harper and Bouchie, while they support general use of solar panels they think it would be better for it to be somewhere else.
“This is an area known for recreation and wildlife, so why would you want to destroy that for solar panels?” Harper said.
“I think it needs to be in the proper location,” said Bouchie.
A public meeting will be held February 2nd for the public to voice their concerns about the project. It will be located at the Vincennes City Water Treatment Plant meeting room, located at 1134 South River Road. The meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m.
You can find more information on the solar farm here.
