LAMAR COUNTY, Miss. (WDAM) — Neighbors in Lamar County will quickly have an opportunity to be taught extra a few proposal that might carry a photo voltaic farm to the county.
Some neighbors have already expressed issues in regards to the mission and the potential influence on the land, setting, and property values.
The Lamar County Planning Fee and Board of Supervisors should give the inexperienced mild to grant permission for the conditional use of the property concerned.
Lightsource bp has partnered with a landowner to develop a farm on almost 1,700 hectares of property. If authorised, the location might be known as the Minkar Photo voltaic Farm and might be situated between Oak Grove and Purvis close to the neighborhood of Okahola.
Growth supervisor Andy Taylor estimates there are fewer than 250,000 panels.
“The objective is, as we construct our power infrastructure, that electrical energy will come down in value,” Taylor stated.
Taylor stated the corporate cannot management electrical energy prices, however stated the hope is that extra properties will result in decrease prices.
The mission is a joint-venture between lightsource and BP. The group builds, operates, and maintains power tasks around the globe.
Taylor stated the $137 million mission is privately funded and can carry thousands and thousands to the county over a number of years.
Lightsource bp additionally says it plans to be associate locally by investing cash in close by charitable organizations and contributing to web zero carbon initiatives.
Lamar County Administrator Jody Waits advised WDAM that the property doesn’t must be rezoned.
“On this case, for a public utility, it will likely be zoned correctly. It simply requires a conditional use,” stated Waits.
Waites stated a public listening to was set for Jan. 10 earlier than the Lamar County Planning Fee, however Taylor stated plans modified after suggestions from the neighborhood.
“In an effort to essentially get into the neighborhood and perceive the curiosity and issues right here, we’re asking the county to postpone the presentation earlier than the planning fee and that manner for the subsequent 30, 60, 90 days.” we are able to go into the neighborhood speak to a few of these individuals, and deal with a few of these issues,” Taylor stated.
A date for the neighborhood engagement session has not been set, Taylor stated.
Lightsource bp nonetheless has to current plans to the Lamar County Planning Fee.
“They need to come first to the planning fee, in order that the planning fee will overview it to ensure there isn’t any destructive influence on the neighborhood, on the setting,” stated Waits.
After the planning fee hears from lightsource, members should determine whether or not to approve or deny the property for conditional use.
The Lamar County Board of Supervisors should make the ultimate choice after listening to from the planning fee.
Supervisors should additionally overview web site plans and varied research associated to due diligence.
Waits emphasised the significance of listening to everybody.
“All people deserves a good shot on the course of, whether or not you are one million greenback firm otherwise you’re an individual constructing a 100,000 home. There’s due course of that everyone is entitled to,” stated Waits. .
The county is already conversant in photo voltaic farm operations. A separate firm owns the identical farm close to Sumrall.
Waits stated there have been no points since its completion.
“That is a giant funding from these corporations and with it comes large tax {dollars} that we are able to construct roads, and provides cash to colleges,” Waits continued. “We’ve got zero push again from the present farm and we now have a number of housing developments round it, a few of that are multi-million greenback houses.”
Lamar County residents are already sharing issues in regards to the mission on social media. A web-based petition has over 100 signatures in only a few days.
WDAM reporter Will Polston spoke with two individuals who dwell close to the location and oppose the mission.
Undertaking leaders consider the corporate can ease issues in an upcoming public engagement session.
“We’re specializing in having issues like what’s known as a sport fence or an agriculture fence. It is slightly extra aesthetically pleasing. We’re focusing lots on set backs, and buffers, and vegetative screening in order that we now have slightly little bit of influence the neighborhood as a lot as we are able to,” Taylor stated.
Many research have been accomplished and lots of extra must be accomplished earlier than the mission receives approval. Wait stated that environmental, engineering, and even archeological research needs to be achieved.
Builders should additionally observe native, state, and federal pointers to deal with erosion, wildlife, and different points.
“Habitat and animals and wetlands and waters. These are all a part of the issues we describe and research to ensure we depart the neighborhood with a optimistic influence. Even after building” stated Kim Wells, a Director of Growth with lightsource bp.
Wells stated lightsource bp works to make sure that protected or endangered wildlife shouldn’t be threatened.
Whereas some residents share issues about waves of electromagnetic radiation, Wells stated buffers and setbacks ought to mitigate any issues.
“We do not know of any proof to counsel that EMF in massive quantities causes most cancers or is linked to adversarial well being results. EMF drops in a short time as soon as you progress away from the photo voltaic facility and the utilizing the suitable use of buffers and set backs, like these we introduced in our utility to Lamar County. We consider these issues are greater than addressed and don’t pose a well being threat,” Wells stated.
The security of photo voltaic panels additionally scares close by residents.
Wells stated the corporate solely makes use of panels authorised by the US Environmental Safety Company.
“We solely use panels from suppliers that adjust to that tier 1 requirement so the panels are non-hazardous and thought of secure by the federal authorities,” Wells stated.
If the mission is authorised, managers hope to begin building in 2024 or 2025 and estimate it’ll take about 18 months.
Taylor stated the Lamar County property was chosen after cautious consideration.
“Photo voltaic services require a couple of issues. Availability of land. keen landowners, proximity to transmission traces and the potential of a buyer for somebody to return in and purchase the electrical energy,” stated Taylor.
Stick with WDAM for updates on a date for a public engagement session.
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