A Wyoming Board of Commissioners shot a proposed solar farm after a seven -hour public hearing of furious locals who demanded that the project was stopped.
The Natrona County Board of Commissioners listened to concerns of residents of Kleine Stad about the permit application of Eg Haystack Solar LLC during the Marathon hearing on Tuesday.
The company asked for a permit to build a utit scale of 199-megawatts solar energy system and a 100-megawatt battery energy storage system on 2,010 hectares of private land northwest of Casper, about 24 miles of the city, according to Oil City News .
In the end, the Commissioners rejected the permit in a 3-2 votes after residents had expressed concern about fire safety, the impact of the wildlife and their own quality of life, Cowboy State Daily reported.
“Everyone I met worked hard to get there and build their dream to live in peace, away from the industrial scenario through a city that is full of great people, and now it is a bit threatened,” said The local Adam Brown on the meeting.
'All people who are against it are from here, they live here and it affects them personally. Your job is to take care of the community, the people who vote for you, and that is the most important thing. '
Natrona County Fire District Chief Brian Oliver testified that although the lithium batteries would be included in various separate cupboards on the site, if a fire were to take place, it could take up to 45 minutes before crews responded.
In the case of a fire, he said that they would intend to let the flames burn while they try to protect the land around it so that they do not spread.
The Natrona County Board of Commissioners listened to worries of residents about the permit application from Eg Haystack Solar LLC
The company asked for a permit to build a solar farm and battery storage on 2,010 hectares of private country northwest of Casper
Wyoming Game and Fish Wildlife Management coordinator Brandon Werner said they were working with Haystack, but the placement of the sun farm was in the middle of an essential Pronghornhabitat.
“This is actually a large migration route that they use to go back and forth,” he said across the country. Werner explained that there should be an alternative route made for the Pronghorns.
Rancher Mark Rosenbaum told the commissioners that he was worried about the project that bothered Selenium in the soil.
“We have to see it pretty close to get our cattle off at certain times of the year,” he said. “I am a bit worried as far as the erosion control plan that they have been set up or not have been set.”
Resident Michelle Sleep sent a remark to the board and claimed that the project would lower real estate values ​​for neighbors.
'Residents, including myself, [could see a] Reduction of the real estate value of at least 25 percent, “she said. 'I don't want my property value to fall; Not for myself or for my future heirs. '
Dale Harris, a representative of Haystack's parent company, Enfinity Global, was to defend the project during the meeting.
Commissioner Dallas Laird made a point of Harris that the Trump administration will achieve all subsidies around the solar power.
Ultimately, the Commissioners rejected the permit in 3-2 votes after residents have expressed their concern about fire safety and the impact of animals in the wild
Wyoming Game and Fish Wildlife Management Coordinator Brandon Werner said
“He has Elon Musk, who is going to lead part of his policy, he is a strong supporter of solar and batteries,” Harris replied.
'We are actually considering using it to use this project. And so I don't think this administration will prevent the development of energy technologies. '
Harris presented about the economic benefits that the farm could bring to the state, including jobs and tax revenues.
“An estimated $ 45.1 million would come to Natrona County during the lifetime of the real estate tax project over a period of 31 years,” said his presentation.
“An estimated $ 12.6 million, of which $ 5.7 million would stand up to Natrona County and municipalities, would be benefited from sales tax.”
Sheila Kilts, the owner of the country where the proposed farm would be built, was one of the few local defenders of the project.
“We support the Haystack Solar Project,” she said. 'As landowners we believe in and support property rights. As long as we do not violate the law or damage others, we believe that we should be able to do with our property if we are necessary. '
