ADA COUNTY, Idaho — A Wednesday night public hearing will be continued in July regarding the over 2,000-acre proposed solar farm in Ada County.
- Dozens of neighbors gave testimony, some in favor of the project and some opposed.
- Savion, the energy company, gave their presentation of why they think this would benefit the community.
- Commissioners want to hear more public comment, so this hearing will continue in July.
(Below is the transcript from the broadcast story)
A decision unable to be made at the Ada County hearing regarding the proposed solar farm, south of Kuna.
As over 100 neighbors sent in letters to their commissioners, with dozens giving public testimony.
Some in favor…
“We’re interested in this project because frankly, we think it’s a great project,” said long time farmer Dennis Dunlop, land owner selling to Savion.
“This project is definitely within law, in fact it’s been recommended for approval by your committee,” said Steve Beus, a local farmer and land owner selling to Savion.
… but many opposed.
“Putting in this solar farm would be a travesty to the area. So please, please for the sake of our families and our communities, do not.” said Sabrina, who grew up in the area near the proposed project.
“This is not about what’s good for the community, this is about what’s good for them. It’s close to the power plant [Bowmont substation], they can get a supply that’s cheap. They’re [Savion] out of state, they don’t care about what we’re here for, they’re here to make a buck,” said Hyrum Jones, Kuna resident.
Powers Butte Energy Center, owned by Savion, gave their presentation to the commissioners saying their solar farm could provide energy for Treasure Valley residents… This among other proposed benefits.
“The construction process is expected to produce about 300 to 350 jobs. Power from this sized facility would be about the equivalent of 45,000 Idaho homes,” said Mitchell Taylor with Savion.
I’ve previously talked to Idaho Power, whose customers would be receiving the energy from the solar farm, and they say the Treasure Valley needs new energy resources.
Those in opposition to this proposal… giving emotional testimony on why they feel their neighborhood isn’t the right place for this.
“The developers are clearly trying to spin a tale that the industrial scale solar is farming. However, their lack of understanding of the necessity of irrigation on Idaho farms points to the fact that they are just saying whatever they need to say to get this passed, collect their money, and move on,” said neighbor Lori Blattner at the podium.
Even at 10pm, when commissioners decided the meeting would pause for the night, dozens of neighbors were still in attendance, waiting to speak.
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Update:
Following the Wednesday night's meeting, Ada County commissioners have decided to continue listening to public testimony at the July 10th hearing.
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Ada County commissioners are weighing in on a proposed solar farm, south of Kuna.
Wednesday night, commissioners could decide whether a more than 2 thousand-acre solar farm proposal will move forward.
This is a story Idaho News 6 has been following for weeks, and Neighborhood Reporter Allie Triepke has spoken to neighbors in Ada and Canyon County as the site spans both counties.
Many neighbors are wildly opposed to this proposal, saying it threatens Idaho’s rural farmland.
There are also some neighbors in favor, or looking for more information.
Representatives from the Powers Butte Energy Center, owned by energy company Savion, are also expected to be at tonight's meeting.
Idaho Power, whose customers would be receiving the energy from the solar farm, and they say the Treasure Valley needs new energy resources.
Neighborhood Reporter Allie Triepke will be inside during tonight's meeting to bring you updates on the outcome of the proposal.
