Several residents have presented concerns about solar farms and related battery storage projects to the Marshall County Commissioners and to the Marshall County Council members in the last few meetings.
Culver resident Debbie VanDeMark was before the commissioners in mid-May to voice concerns about many solar energy companies visiting area farmers to solicit solar projects and battery storage projects on agriculture land. The company representatives offer to rent or lease the land at a very premium price. The projects would consume many, many acres of land and she presented several concerns about the acquisition of so much land for these projects.
VanDeMark stated, “Many of the neighbors and fellow members of the community have voiced their concerns with large commercial solar projects including environmental impact, neighboring liabilities, benefits to the county, property tax impacts, commercial tax for the lease holders, loss of farmland and property values – and these are all very concerning to me. I believe we should preserve our agricultural land. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
She said she has had several offers for her property, but she has turned down the offers as she believes that “it is not right for Marshall County”.
She asked that the commissioners consider a minimum two-year moratorium on large scale solar farms and more stringent terms in the ordinance when it comes to the protection of Marshall County residents and their property.
“Look at ways to address the battery storage, the liability, put in a violation section so that we know what’s going to happen if they don’t continue with a decommissioning bond or if they walk away what’s going to happen. Who’s going to be responsible?”
Paul Levett, also of Culver, voiced many environmental concerns with chemical run-off of solar panels, especially if there are solar farms constructed near Lake Maxinkuckee. He also expressed worry about the ag economy and that the counties surrounding Marshall County have stricter ordinances.
Tim McCarthy, a Culver resident, spoke in favor of the solar project stating that it is the right of the property owner for the best use of that person and that person’s family. He suggested not going back on decisions already made that were discussed in previous sessions.
During the Marshall County Commissioners meeting Monday, June 5, Commission President Stan Klotz mentioned House Bill 1173 that puts rules and regulations on battery storage projects.
Klotz said, “I’m just not sure we’re there yet, but we can guarantee we can protect the public because there’s so much – I don’t want to say misinformation, but lack of information that the public doesn’t know. They probably need to be better informed to take a step like this. I think everybody’s got a fear of the unknown.”
Klotz said he will ask the whole of the commissioners for a two-year moratorium on solar and related projects at the next meeting Monday, June 19.
VanDeMark and Levett presented information to the Marshall County Council during the council’s June 8 meeting and asked for the council’s support in being careful with tax abatement requests for solar projects.
Marshall County Councilman Tim Harman commented that a moratorium is warranted and other council members had questions and concerns about loss of agriculture revenue, the residual effects pertaining to taxing units, and other large solar and battery storage project concepts proposed to be coming to the Burr Oak and Bourbon areas.
Marshall County Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Greg Hildebrand spoke of the Tamarack solar energy project, a $100 million project with EnviroTech and their work with the county’s current ordinance to move forward with the project. He also spoke of economic development funds that the county could use to spend on any thing the county could see fit – including roads. An economic impact study is expected soon. He also noted that there are 52 solar projects in Marshall County, 17 are commercial and industrial projects while a few are residential.
The Marshall County Council unanimously approved a motion to urge the commissioners to approve a two-year moratorium on any solar projects in the county which was met by a round of applause by supporters in attendance.
The subject of solar is expected to be before the Marshall County Plan Commission members during their regular meeting Thursday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET in the second floor meeting room of the Marshall County Building at 112 W. Jefferson Street in Plymouth.
