Local group opposing solar project speaks out
As you are reporting on Birch Solar project, here are a few points of interest from the group against the project:
1. The adverse impact on homeowners will be major as the 2,600- acre industrial solar facility will fundamentally convert the community from scenic farmland to a large utility scale complex with thousands of rows of glass panels which stands as an image in very sharp contrast to how the area is promoted. The visual impact of 750,000 solar panels, and approximately 28 miles of fence and access roads diminishes from the visual impact that will continue to attract new residents to the area.
2. BP Lightsource has offered no research based examples of successful equivalent projects in communities that are similar to the impacted area for Birch. All of the studies that they have cited are for small solar farms or large solar farms that are in highly remote locations; particularly in the Western U. S. The community surrounding Birch has been provided no empirical data to refute the argument that we make that the Birch project is high risk as there are no comparable projects in regards to project size ( megawatts), acreage, population density, and total number of adjoining homeowners.
3. The Birch Solar project represents too much risk for just 5 full- time jobs after completion of construction. No special treatment should be given to a company that has so little to offer in regards to job growth
4. Lightsource BP has made no commitment to the community for the electric to be sold locally to bring down our local utility rates. All of the electricity being produced benefits large corporations. Industrial- scale solar development is driven by large company demand and subsidized federal tax credits.
5. Lightsource BP has NO experience running a facility this size in a populated area. Review the website: https:// www. lightsourcebp. com/ us/ projects/
They have experience with solar facilities ranging from 9- 163MW. The 300MW they built was for EVRAZ North America, and it is located in an industrial park, not a residential community. The other projects ( Impact= 260; Peony= 315; Bellflower) are all in the planning phase along with Birch.
6. The long- term sustainability of the community depends on a community that is attractive to residents and potential residents. The construction of the massive, 375MW large- scale utility with miles of fences and internal access roads will detract from the cohesion and sustainability of the community.
7. The man leading the Birch Solar Project is Kevin Smith, CEO of Lightsource BP. CEO. Kevin Smith directed the failed Crescent Dunes until he moved to Lightsource BP. On Friday the Wall Street Journal called Crescent Dunes a “green boondoggle,” and reported that it could cost taxpayers $ 510 million. Link https:// gvwire. com/ 2020/ 12/ 14/ opinion- another- green- subsidybust/. Link: https:// www. bloomberg. com/ news/ articles/ 2020- 01- 06/ a- 1- billionsolarplant- was- obsolete- beforeitever- went- online
How does this relate to Birch Solar, LLC? Crescent Dunes was high risk and Kevin Smith directed the project. The proposed Birch project is high risk, and again Kevin Smith is the CEO of the company leading the program. Mr. Smith needs to learn from his previous failed risk. This time the facility has neighbors.