![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wvih.com\/wp1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/mcfcreg041321.jpg?resize=300%2C200\")
\nMembers of Meade County Fiscal Court heard and approved the first reading of an ordinance aimed to strengthen guidelines related to solar power development in the county during their regular monthly meeting Tuesday (4\/13) night.<\/p>\n
\nMembers of Meade County Fiscal Court heard and approved the first reading of an ordinance aimed to strengthen guidelines related to solar power development in the county during their regular monthly meeting Tuesday (4\/13) night.<\/p>\n
The ordinance would repeal the original ordinance adopted several months ago and updates certain restrictions on any solar farms or projects. Fiscal Court is working to fix issues before the first permits are requested as a major solar farm project is being planned for development by Florida based Nextera Energy along the Meade-Breckinridge County line near Irvington. County leaders heard an outcry from some wanting to preserve prime agriculture acreage and be able to have fair market value on real estate that adjoins and is used for the solar project. Among the updated regulations in the new ordinance would require a 250 feet setback for solar related equipment.<\/p>\n
John O’Hair, Project Development Manager for Nextera Energy, addressed his concerns and complications related to the requirements changes. He said the change impacts property purchased for the planned transformer substation which would step-up the solar voltage to the required voltage for the injection into the Big Rivers transmission system at the Nick Mill substation. O’Hair said such a increase in the setback distance would conflict with the plans requiring their substation be relocated to a different location in the solar farm. Currently, plans call the substation to be built in a central part of the project which is located close to the Big Rivers substation to minimize the need of long transmission lines to make the injection point. Magistrate Billy Sipes said that the county needed to fix potential issues that could arise in the future as real estate is sold and possible residential uses could become neighbors to the solar farm. Sipes also said the 250 feet setback would allow more protection for solar equipment from traffic accidents.<\/p>\n
Among other concerns from Nextera Energy and some property owners, is the fact that several leases have been secured or land purchases are already completed leaving some involved that the rules are changing after the project has begun. As of Tuesday night, no permits have been requested for solar development so far in Meade County. Nextera Energy originally was hopeful for state permitting to occur possibly as early May of this year and then apply for local permits by this fall in hopes of the project operational by 2023.<\/p>\n
Fiscal Court unanimously approved the first reading of the amending ordinance which can still be edited to before the second reading which would activate it into law. Some adjustments are expected over the county leaders and the public examine and continue discussion on the ordinance.<\/p>\n
Below is a picture the proposed Green River Solar Farm which is being planned and developed by Nextera Energy.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wvih.com\/wp1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Nextera-Proposal-Map-021521.jpg?resize=300%2C200\")
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