Rural Virginia – particularly the Southside – has develop into the middle of photo voltaic growth.
Not everyone seems to be joyful about that.
Some localities are pushing again, limiting photo voltaic farms or banning them. In the final session of the General Assembly, that prompted dialogue of laws to present the state some say in the place giant photo voltaic amenities are situated. That did not occur, however the concern is up within the air, elevating extra questions. What position ought to the state play in vitality deployment selections? Whose voice ought to carry extra weight regionally: the property proprietor who desires to make use of his property for a photo voltaic farm or neighbors who see this intrusion of their viewshed?
As a part of our ongoing Cardinal Way challenge on civility, we ran two contrasting essays on photo voltaic farms and requested readers to weigh in. And they did – very quick.
Nottoway County’s Ricky Rash is typical of many we hear on the Southside who do not like photo voltaic farms: “Rural central and Southside Virginia areas are disproportionately focused for photo voltaic due to cheaper land. No one is speaking about constructing energy traces throughout the commonwealth within the type of eminent area. ” His answer: “Build knowledge facilities and photo voltaic farms aspect by aspect and pipe fiber at a decrease price than overhead mega KW energy towers.”
The problem has an financial one: Data heart firms like Northern Virginia as a result of that is the place the information heart employees are; Attempts to draw knowledge facilities to rural Virginia have been futile. Still, photo voltaic is targeting the Southside for a cause he says: Land is cheaper.
Chuck Angier of Pittsylvania County identified that “in the event you take a look at the map, only some RURAL areas are focused for photo voltaic installations. I counsel that the general impression of the coverage ought to be shared.”
Although there are lots of Southside readers who make it clear they do not need photo voltaic farms, nearly nobody desires the state concerned in website selections. “How and the place photo voltaic vitality is produced ought to be managed regionally,” mentioned Mecklenburg County’s Laurie Huber. If that wasn’t clear, this is what Elizabeth “Bepe” Kafka of Grayson County needed to say in regards to the state’s involvement: “No, no, no! It is NOT acceptable to sacrifice our beloved surroundings and our livelihoods for the individuals of NOVA to make some huge cash. WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!”
However, many readers additionally mentioned that the state ought to assist native governments by offering them with the knowledge they should make an knowledgeable choice on photo voltaic initiatives. “The state ought to be required to supply data on each potential photo voltaic challenge by way of the present branches of the state authorities, such because the Department of Wildlife Resources, Department of Forestry, Department of Environmental Quality,” mentioned Kay O’ Shannahan of Lynchburg. “Decisions on photo voltaic initiatives shouldn’t be allowed to be made with out enter from each company. How can native governments make educated selections that concentrate on greater than potential income with out the info?
Liz Povar of Henrico County advised the state work with localities to establish probably the most appropriate websites for photo voltaic and wind amenities — and possibly even purchase some to promote to vitality firms, resembling creation of enterprise parks. “The Commonwealth can function a mentor, advocate, impartial and clear data useful resource for localities fascinated by photo voltaic growth,” he mentioned. “By sharing the elements of location, financial impression, environmental impression, and so forth. of photo voltaic farms, it may be identified about appropriate areas to promote in cooperation with localities and areas.”
Carla Barrell of Hardy, which sits on the Bedford County-Franklin County line, was the one one to present a straight “sure” to the query about state involvement — and even that was certified. “Yes, if the one cause a website is turned down is due to NIMBY points,” he mentioned, referring to the “not in my yard” phenomenon. “If a website has all the mandatory approvals, and the proprietor desires it, then they need to be capable to enchantment to the state whether it is denied as a result of the neighbors do not prefer it. The proprietor ought to have the proper to make use of the property how they select. I’d reasonably see photo voltaic panels than one other subdivision.”
That brings us to the sharpest disagreements: Whose voice ought to carry extra weight, the property proprietor or the neighbors?
Hazel Bowman Smith of Charlotte County was enthusiastic: “Landowners. This is their land and their choice.”
Oscar Joost of Patrick County mentioned the identical factor: “Property house owners – as a result of their proper to make use of their property trumps another person’s proper to look.”
That brings us to the controversy – as a result of many individuals really feel that views ought to trump property rights.
“Zoning is about defending all people,” mentioned Mary Stevens of Culpeper. “Solar is an INDUSTRIAL challenge NOT for agricultural land or residential areas. I moved to a rural space for peace, quiet and the pastoral view. Most wouldn’t have moved right here in the event that they knew they must take care of it. I do not need an airport, a manufacturing unit or a slaughterhouse subsequent door.”
He was not alone.
“If the vast majority of adjoining property house owners have considerations . . . these considerations ought to have a better weight than the economic system of the county/landowner,” mentioned Larry Dorris of Appomattox County.
Mary Hodge of Caroline County identified that perceived rights have already been acknowledged in some selections. “A photo voltaic allow was denied in Amherst County in February 2024. One of the supervisors mentioned {that a} viewshed is an inherent proper to be protected and preserved, and this is the reason he voted to disclaim. Another photo voltaic allow just lately denied in Orange County for a similar cause. Rural residents treasure our pure assets, and we need to see the fields, fields, woods, and exquisite views -owner of the property should not violate the rights of others … The photo voltaic set up is an industrial energy plant, and has no place in a rural and agriculturally zoned locality, and sure, the neighbors have weight within the opinion that it will destroy the view and destroy the land, destroying their complete society. Also, Virginia is a stupendous state, and depends closely on tourism and appreciation of this pure magnificence and surroundings. No one desires to see this ugly and wasteful destruction.”
However, magnificence is within the eye of the beholder. “No doubt there are those that discover some or all of this enticing: giant distribution facilities; in depth knowledge heart campus; industrial and agricultural operations that generate noise and odors; lengthy, mile-long electrical transmission infrastructure; landfills; and enormous on- and off-shore wind generators,” mentioned Joy Loving of Rockingham County. “But many others most likely do not feel that method or simply settle for them as needed annoyances. Solar amenities could also be thought-about by some to detract from their private panorama; others, like me, admire that they use photo voltaic vitality and are much less dangerous to the air, water, and soil and are much less harmful than different vitality sources. When I take a look at photo voltaic panels, I see that they’re a viable method to scale back greenhouse fuel emissions AND decrease electrical energy payments… Who is correct might be much less vital than ensuring we do the we should do to cut back our dependence on fossil fuels and assist guarantee a greater future for us all.”
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