Public Comment Sought on Two Large-Scale Solar Project Proposals in Lexington

[Wandering Eyes]

Public comment is now being accepted for two proposed industrial solar projects in Lexington-Fayette County, according to the Fayette Alliance.

An information session is scheduled on July 8 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Macdeonia Christian Church at 4551 Winchester Road for people looking to better understand the two proposals.

Eatern Kentucky Power Cooperative has submitted a proposal for a 400-acres industrial solar development on Winchester Road. That proposal is currently moving through the Kentucky Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities in Kentucky, according to the Alliance. EKPC is a not-for-profit generation and transmission electric utility with headquarters in Winchester, Ky.

Silicon Ranch, a solar power company based in Nashville, has proposed a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to permit industrial-scale solar facilities in the agricultural zones of the county. That proposal is currently moving through the planning commission. Approval would allow industrial solar farms in any agricultural zone with a conditional use permit, to be evaluated by the Board of Adjustment under limited conditions, according to the Fayette Alliance.

“We think industrial solar generation facilities are not appropriate in the Rural Service Area or any of our agricultural zones, as the primary intent of these zones is to support agricultural production,” the Alliance said in the email. “Large-scale power generation facilities are both industrial and commercial uses, and pose complex unintended consequences to our productive soils as well as set dangerous precedent for how we regulate uses in our agricultural zones moving forward.”

The public may submit comments via this link on the Public Service Commission's website.

The Fayette Alliance is a non-profit committed to achieving sustainable growth in the city of Lexington while advocating for the protection of farmland.

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