Public Service Commission holds public hearing on potential Fayette County solar farm
Originally published by WEKU.
Kentucky’s Public Service Commission held a public hearing Tuesday to get input on a proposal that would see a solar farm built in eastern Fayette County.
East Kentucky Power Cooperative’s nearly 400-acre solar farm would be built along Interstate 64 in Fayette County’s agricultural zone.
The co-op says the farm would help meet a growing demand for sustainable energy, especially among businesses.
Fayette County residents, including local lawmakers, mostly spoke against the proposal. Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton says it would reduce economic activity in the county, and that it would pollute the Bluegrass region’s soils.
“When I look at bluegrass farms, I see businesses,” Gorton said. “The rural area is truly a workhorse for our economy. One estimate is that one in 12 jobs in Fayette County can be attributed to farming operations.”
But others say utility-scale solar farms are necessary to fight climate change. Resident Chris Woolery spoke in favor of the project through online tele-conference.
“Since EKPC’s generational assets are still so heavy on fossil fuels, many advocates like myself have come to appreciate the role of bigger solar farms in the fight against skyrocketing utility rates, climate change and pollution,” Woolery said.
The Public Service Commission will make a decision on whether the solar farm will be approved. If it is, the farm would operate for around 25 years before being decommissioned.
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Originally published by WEKU.
Republished with permission.
