Board rejects proposed solar farm in rural Calcasieu
KPLC TV|Halle Jefferson|Nov 19, 2024
“As far as the character, you cant bring an industrial project into our neighborhoods, that we provided proof to yall that it significantly reduces the values of our homes, and then say it wont change the character of the area,” resident, Tommy Cryar said. “This project without a doubt, is an industrial industry facility and it belongs in an industrial area, it does not belong in a rural community,” resident, Tommy Buckner said.
“As far as the character, you cant bring an industrial project into our neighborhoods, that we provided proof to yall that it significantly reduces the values of our homes, and then say it wont change the character of the area,” resident, Tommy Cryar said. “This project without a doubt, is an industrial industry facility and it belongs in an industrial area, it does not belong in a rural community,” resident, Tommy Buckner said.
LAKE CHARLES, La. - A parish board voted not to move forward with a proposed solar farm in rural Calcasieu.
The Calcasieu Planning and Zoning Board rejected a zoning exception that would have allowed the project to move forward.
The Texas-based company AYPA proposed the Cajun Crescent Energy Center Solar Facility for a rural area near Topsy and Gillis. The $400-million project would have generated around $87 million in local tax revenue and created 300 jobs during the construction phase.
The company proposed solar development in both Calcasieu and Jeff Davis parishes.
“Look it takes a lot of criteria to develop a project like this. You got to check a lot of boxes, its got to be far enough inland, its got to be high enough, its got to be …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]LAKE CHARLES, La. - A parish board voted not to move forward with a proposed solar farm in rural Calcasieu.
The Calcasieu Planning and Zoning Board rejected a zoning exception that would have allowed the project to move forward.
The Texas-based company AYPA proposed the Cajun Crescent Energy Center Solar Facility for a rural area near Topsy and Gillis. The $400-million project would have generated around $87 million in local tax revenue and created 300 jobs during the construction phase.
The company proposed solar development in both Calcasieu and Jeff Davis parishes.
“Look it takes a lot of criteria to develop a project like this. You got to check a lot of boxes, its got to be far enough inland, its got to be high enough, its got to be near high voltage lines that can take the power, and there’s many other boxes that we’ve got check, and this is one of the very few sites in Southwest Louisiana that works for this project,” APYPA Power Senior Vice President, Forrest Forster said.
A large crowd came out for this evening’s meeting, with many residents voicing their concerns about the proposed development. Some said the project would be good for the economy.
“Energy is essential for our economy and without the right mix of energy product businesses cannot thrive or expand, and at the southwest Louisiana economic development alliance we strongly support this project,” SWLA Economic Development Alliance President, George Swift said.
While many feared it would worsen flooding, harm wildlife and lower property values.
“As far as the character, you cant bring an industrial project into our neighborhoods, that we provided proof to yall that it significantly reduces the values of our homes, and then say it wont change the character of the area,” resident, Tommy Cryar said.
“This project without a doubt, is an industrial industry facility and it belongs in an industrial area, it does not belong in a rural community,” resident, Tommy Buckner said.
Three board members voted in favor, three voted against it, and three abstained from voting.