Editor, The Smithfield Times:

For sure, solar farms are a very controversial issue. There is a lot of information available on this subject, and it is hard to discern what is true and what is not. 

However, in my opinion, the proposed 27-acre solar farm for Old Stage Road is not controversial at all. Currently, the proposed land site is zoned agricultural and our Board of Supervisors must approve a special permit for the solar farm’s construction. If this permit is granted the solar farm would be built next to approximately 100 homes in Wrenns Mill Estates and be about one mile from Hardy Elementary. 

I have researched various sites and most recommend that solar farms be around a half-mile to one mile away from housing. (To be honest, some sites recommended more and a few sites a little less distance from housing.) Wrenns Mill Estates is definitely a lot closer than a half-mile to this proposed solar farm site. 

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation recognizes the benefits of solar power and the need for solar facilities, however, the environmental benefits are affected by where they are located, how they are designed, and how they are developed, according to the foundation. Pivot Energy/Elk does not invoke a ‘warm and fuzzy feeling” in me that they will provide extra care in assuring that possible runoff does not pollute the Pagan River and eventually the Chesapeake Bay. 

Lastly, I freely admit that I may have not understood exactly how the truck traffic is going to be controlled during the construction of this site, but some of that will undoubtedly be on Old Stage Road. I don’t think it can be guaranteed that it will not be anywhere near Hardy Elementary. 

Will we see an accident like the one in Surry that involved a school bus and a solar farm construction truck? The children on the bus were thankfully not hurt, but the bus was totaled.

Considering all that I have heard and read, the land on Old Stage Road is not a place for a solar farm, therefore, I implore the Board of Supervisors to deny approval of this permit to Pivot Energy/Elk.

 

Darlene Beringo

Smithfield