THOMSON, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – McDuffie County could possibly be getting a area of photo voltaic panels generally known as a photo voltaic farm.
Extra tax income, jobs and cleaner power may all be sooner or later if county commissioners approve a $320 million proposed photo voltaic farm on Randall Hunt Street.
The undertaking is certainly one of two clear power tasks that made information Wednesday in Georgia. The opposite is a $2 billion funding in photo voltaic panel manufacturing that may create 2,500 jobs in North Georgia.
Each plans come after the passage of a local weather change invoice that was signed into legislation in August. The legislation would mandate spending, tax credit and loans to spice up photo voltaic panels, dwelling power effectivity, emissions reductions for coal and gas-fired energy vegetation, and air air pollution management. for farms, ports and low-income communities.
The McDuffie County photo voltaic farm will cowl practically 2,000 acres, however will not be seen from Interstate 20.
Developer representatives say that is greater than a one-time undertaking for them.
“It’s our aim to be good stewards of the group from the event stage to your complete lifetime of the undertaking, by involving group leaders” and collaborating in sponsorships, mentioned Stephanie Miller EDF Renewables.
Jason Smith with McDuffie County says it is vital for the county to associate with firms that put the group first.
He mentioned the vital factor is “that symbiotic relationship you’ve got with an organization like that exhibits that, you realize, they need to be greater than only a enterprise on this group, they need to be part of locally.”
Developer Telly Manos says whereas the photo voltaic farm is the corporate’s focus now, it hopes to have a much bigger affect in the long run.
“The long-term impact is nice, the 2 to 4 on-site personnel will keep the ability, after which improve the job alternatives for native companies,” mentioned Manos.
If the proposal is authorized, the developer’s subsequent step is to discover a purchaser for the electrical energy. Georgia Energy is the primary goal, but when not, the builders are contemplating a personal purchaser.
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