LEHMAN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A pair of potential solar projects in northeastern Pennsylvania have generated a host of concerns among residents and farmers.
Susquehanna Solar LLC., which is based in South Carolina, had applied for a special exception to construct a 46-acre solar project on farmland and some forested area in Luzerne County.
On Aug. 19, the Lehman Township Zoning Hearing Board denied the special exception application with a 3-0 vote, after residents raised a number of concerns about the location of the proposed solar facility.
Resident Elizabeth Culp, who resides next to the proposed site, said residents are worried about noise generated by the project, potential loss of property value, water runoff and using farmland and the resulting change to the character of the township.
Susquehanna Solar has until Oct. 30 to appeal the board’s decision. Multiple attempts to reach company representatives were not successful.
Culp said the township held three meetings on the planned solar farm, and more than 150 residents attended. The community is happy with the board’s decision to deny the application, she said.
“We hoped that would happen and we hope Susquehanna Solar won’t appeal,” Culp said.
Regarding concerns from residents, Culp said there was never a site-specific sound study performed, property values could decline and it could also be more difficult for residents to borrow against their property if the project went in, and water runoff could impact residents because more than six acres of trees would have been cut for the facility.
She said the balance of the site is farmland, which had been in production until the solar facility proposal. Culp questioned the feasibility of using agricultural land for such projects.
“I’m a proponent of solar, but it should be prioritized for brownfields and degraded land such as abandoned mine lands, which we have quite a bit in this area,” she said. “It’s not really green energy when you lose agricultural and forested land.”
Another solar facility is being considered for 100 acres of farmland along Route 118, also in Lehman Township.
Township Supervisor David Sutton said a conditional use application for the project has been submitted, but the company asked to put it on hold so it can be modified into a special exception application. That process could take until the end of the year, at least, Sutton said.
Dairy farmer Rich Bronson rents the property to grow hay and use as pasture for his dry cows.
Bronson farms a total of 300 acres — both owned and rented ground — and to lose a third of it to the solar project would be a significant impact, he said.
“I don’t think I could stay in business. I couldn’t afford to buy that much feed to replace what is raised on the 100 acres, along with losing the place where I keep my dry cows and springing heifers,” he said.
Bronson added that he was contacted by a solar company interested in the property he owns, and other farmers in the township have been contacted as well.
“I understand the temptation of the property owners with the solar proposals. It’s a lot of money compared to what we can pay in rent,” Bronson said. “But we have to protect this farmland. Although I may be a small dairy farmer, I’m still helping to feed people and that’s important, no matter how big or small you are.”…Read more by tvenesky@lancasterfarming.com, Tom Venesky
