Success Stories Opposing Industrial-Scale Solar On Agricultural-Rural Land
Utility-scale solar belongs on industrial-zoned land, marginal land or commercial rooftops. The destruction of farm and timberland is not green.
Click on the below related articles.
Augusta County, Virginia
Augusta Board of Supervises votes to limit solar to 200 acres.
Axton in Henry County, Virginia
Lee Clark, Henry County’s director of planning, zoning and inspections said “For me it’s about the appropriateness of land use" and saying that just because a person doesn’t own the view doesn’t necessarily mean they are not entitled to enjoy it.
Bedford, New York
Bedford Town Board voted to reject a petition for proposed solar plant zoning amendment. There will be no industrial-scale plants near residents. The planning board, because it is cheaper to build these facilities on open land, it believes that allowing such developments will serve as a disincentive to putting such facilities on the commercial and municipal sites that are most appropriate for them.
May 28, 2021 - No code revisions for solar farm project
Clark County, Nevada
Clark County courts deny ordinances to expand where solar plants are allowed in the county; Citizens for Responsible Solar provided advisory support for the effort.
August 26, 2021 - Clark Co. tables massive solar farm project for now
Culpeper County, Virginia
Since 2018, Culpeper citizens have successfully opposed 4 industrial-scale solar projects on agricultural land: Troilio, Greenwood, Cricket and Maroon. Citizens for Responsible Solar was created by concerned residents who are committed to protecting their community, the land and the environment. Despite these victories, Culpeper’s agricultural land remains under threat and Citizens for Responsible Solar continues to work toward an ordinance that restricts utility-scale solar to industrial land.
Nov 19, 2021 - Loud and clear: Culpeper County planners support solar plants on industrial land only. Opposition led by Citizens for Responsible Solar.
May 4, 2021 - Culpeper County Board denies Maroon Solar project request. Opposition led by Citizens for Responsible Solar.
Nov 22, 2020 - Strata Solar pulls application for utility-scale project in Culpeper. Opposition led by Citizens for Responsible Solar.
October 4, 2020 - Permit expires for Culpeper solar-power plant. Greenwood Solar's CUP approved in 2018 expires after citizens successfully delay approval of site plan. Opposition led by Citizens for Responsible Solar.
September 10, 2019 (The Washington Post) - A company suggested installing solar panels near Virginia Civil War battlefields. Locals raged — and what happened next will happen again, experts say.
Fauquier County, Virginia
County planners reject application for 40-acre solar plant in Bealeton after deciding it was not in accord with the comprehensive plan.
Gloucester County, Virginia
Board of Supervisors reject zoning ordinance revision and restricted industrial-scale solar.
September 8, 2021 - Gloucester board approves limits on solar facilities
Howard County, Indiana
Howard County Board of zoning appeals voted to deny Engie's special exception permit to build 2,000-acre solar plant.
September 8, 2021 - BZA denies special exception for solar farm.
Lincoln County, North Carolina
Lincoln Cty loses appeals court litigation filed by citizens opposing Strata Solar's proposed solar plant. Application originally filed in 2013.
July 16, 2019 - Solar Farm Saga--2019 Chapter
Linn County, Iowa
The Linn County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6-1 Nov. 29 to recommend denial of a rezoning request for an industrial-scale solar project in the northwest portion of Linn County.
Mecklenburg County, Virginia
Planning commission rejects 800-acre 105 MW Longroad Energy solar plant.
October 6, 2021 - Mecklenburg planners give thumbs down to Longroad solar project
Madison County, Virginia
Madison County Board of Supervisors approves a zoning ordinance restricting utility-scale solar to industrial-zoned land.
August 8, 2019 - Madison requires industrial zoning for utility-scale solar plants
Mt. Joy Township supervisors deny permit for 75 MW solar plant b NextEra; Citizens for Responsible Solar provided advisory support for the effort.
Mt. Joy Township, Pennsylvania
June 5, 2021 - Planned solar project near Gettysburg denied key permit
Niagara County, Kentucky
Niagra County passed a new law requiring solar developers submit a detailed recycling plan for solar panels hoping it will discourage developers from pushing large solar projects in the county.
Citizen opposition successfully prevented the Board of Supervisors from passing a pro-developer ordinance and have also kept a project from proceeding; Citizens for Responsible Solar provided advisory support for their effort.
Page County, Virginia
Smith Mtn Lake, Virginia
Energix Solar application withdrawn as a result of citizens opposition. Citizens for Responsible Solar provided advisory support for their effort.
Septemer 10, 2021 - Company scraps plans for Westlake solar farm