Venango residents say proposed solar farm would 'destroy the character' of rural area

WATTSBURG — Venango Township residents are fighting a developer's plan to build a massive solar farm in the township.

Wilson Solar LLC, a subsidiary of St. Louis-based Birch Creek Development, has submitted a conditional-use plan to the township for the construction of a 902-acre, 80-megawatt solar farm on the old Erie County Airport property and neighboring land. The solar farm would be located along both sides of Jones Road, roughly bounded by Route 8 and Hill Road and by Phillipsville and Fritz Hill roads.

Some residents say that the large-scale solar farm would disrupt their neighborhoods, wildlife and the nearby West Branch French Creek.

"Most of our concerns are for wildlife, for avian life and for the runoff into the West Branch French Creek, which cuts through the property," Venango Township resident Bruce Whitehair said. Whitehair's property would be surrounded by the solar farm. "Another big thing is they plan to clear-cut 100 acres of trees, for a project that's supposed to (reduce) climate change.

"It would also change the aesthetics of our neighborhood. The use of farmland for solar panels would destroy the character of the neighborhood and what we see and look at every day," Whitehair said.

Township residents came out in force for a public hearing on the Wilson Solar conditional-use plan last month and for two subsequent township supervisors' meetings, mostly to oppose the solar farm. An online petition at Change.org urges decision-makers to reconsider the location of the project.

"While we understand the importance of renewable energy sources in combating climate change, it is essential that these projects are carefully planned to minimize their environmental impact," according to the petition started by Scott Campbell of Venango Township. "We believe there must be alternative locations better suited for such developments that would not disrupt the ecological balance or aesthetic appeal of our beloved township."

The petition was posted Oct. 9 and had 46 signatures by midday Oct. 13.

Venango Township residents have also started a public Facebook group, No Solar Farm - Save Wattsburg, to fight the proposed development.

Additional concerns raised by residents include the proposed rezoning of a 30-acre parcel from residential to agricultural to accommodate the project; potential damage to local roads by heavy trucks during construction; the possibility of a solar panel fire; legal and other expenses for the township; the development's impact on neighboring property values; and a proposed $2 million decommissioning bond that residents say would be insufficient to cover costs to remove the solar farm at the end of its 35-year life expectancy.

Residents urge the township to impose strict requirements for the solar farm, including a performance bond tied to the megawatts the farm would produce; quarterly reports on soil and water quality, dust control, topsoil preservation and perimeter noise; and quarterly public meetings to address issues and concerns, among other requirements.

Venango Township response to concerns

Venango Township officials are doing their best to address residents' concerns and to educate themselves and the public about the proposed solar farm, said Board of Supervisors Chairman Dean Curtis.

"We've learned a lot in the last few months and are still learning every day," Curtis said. "We've heard a lot of concerns and we've heard from some property owners who are for it."

The township has made no decision on Wilson Solar's application for a conditional use permit, Curtis said.

"We have not made any decisions yet and have got a ways to go yet before we do. We're doing our best to do our due diligence to make the right decisions and look out for the people of the township as best we can," he said.

Another public meeting on the proposed solar farm will be scheduled soon, Curtis said. No date for the meeting had yet been set on Friday.

Not only in Venango Township: Solar farms are also proposed in Girard, North East and Washington townships

Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@timesnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Solar farm would destroy character of Venango Township, residents say