Solar farm Yes or No?

On Friday, August 30th, the Cherokee County Commissioners heard from several residents about the potential Solar Farm go be constructed in Cherokee County. In August the commissioners held a public hearing and gave themselves a 30-day moratorium on approving or not approving. The 30-days is set to expire on September 12th.

As of press time, there are leases signed on over 3,000 acres in the county. For reference 3,000 acres is approximately 4.69 square miles. The city limits of Galena is 4.66 square miles; Baxter Springs is 3.24 square miles; Columbus is 2.39 square miles.

Several residents attended the meeting on Friday morning with several of them in opposition to commercial solar farms in Cherokee County. There were property owners that are in support of allowing the solar farms into the county.

Mr. Brett Warstler, spoke up stating that he is probably the most pro property owners right as anyone. However, he does believe in respecting the land and you neighbors.

Warstler stated that he had been contacted in May 2022, and he did a pro/con list and the only pro he that could be found on his list is money. He stated that he owns three properties that Clearway Energy is interested in. He stated that he offered to sell the property for less than what he would receive in the 30-year lease and the company stated that they were not interested in purchasing the property.

Warstler cited a study by the University of North Carolina, that the potential cost of remediation of the ground after the 30 years is an estimated $228,000 per acre so with 3,000 committed acres that would be $684,000,000 that he believes should be put in escrow by Clearway for remediation and reclamation.

He also stated that the herbicide, pesticide, and rodenticide that will be used will be a big problem for neighboring property owners unless huge setbacks are implements.

Warstler stated, “In 2023, wind and solar made up about five percent of the total energy placed on the grid but received 95 percent of the subsides for energy production.”

“Corporate Enterprise Institute said in a May 28, 2024 publication that in the next 10 years wind and solar will cost the American taxpayers $424.6 billion,” continued Warstler.

Dr. Brian Ipsen, who is a property owner and in favor of the solar farms stated that he is a doctor by trade but a farmer at heart. He went on to state that this form of energy is coming, and it would be better to have it all in one area as opposed to several smaller areas around the county. He stated that he is planning on having livestock underneath the panels. He also believes that bamboo will be the best screen between properties.

“I have spent all my working life, working with water. There is the potential for contaminates here, cadmium, zinc, and lead which can leach into the groundwater,” said Matt Naiper.

Commissioner Lorie Johnson stated that she realized that the moratorium that the commission had set was about to expire and she had contacted four property owners in her district to see there thoughts.

Commissioner Cory Moates asked the residents in the meeting if they would be interested in attending another public meeting as he doesn’t feel he has enough information to move forward with approval or denial yet. The date has not been set yet.

The next commission meeting will be on Monday, September 9th at 9:00 am, as of press time the agenda has not be set/released.