HUNTINGTON, Ind. (WPTA) – A committee with representatives for and against solar energy met to propose their ideal standards for solar energy in Huntington County.
BACKGROUND: Huntington County Commissioners put proposed solar farm project on pause
Hours before the meeting started, residents were lined up outside the door in hopes of sitting in on the meeting. Those who could not fit in the room, sat outside watching a live stream.
Chris Parker, one of the community members who has voiced his concern with the solar farm project says the idea of solar is not what concerns him, but the way it is being executed.
“What we’re ‘against’ is miles and miles and solar. Many of us have driven to the communities where we see homes with solar on all sides,” Parker says. “So were not against solar, we just see the impact of unregulated solar on a community.”
However, others believe switching to solar, is part of moving forward. Brian Young, a business owner who has lived in Huntington County his entire life, says he is ready for the change.
“I think we should have it, I think it’s crazy we don’t have it. Let’s enter the 21st century,“ Young says. ”Right now I think everyone is just like, ‘Not in my backyard.’ They are just afraid of things that are new.”
During the presentations of the proposed standards from both sides, some middle ground was found. The sides agreed on the concerns of wildlife, resident’s safety, and the importance of fencing around the panels.
Both Parker and Young hope there is a happy medium, no matter how hard it is to find.
“Nobody’s going to be 100% happy. As a yes, I know there are things I will have to give. As a no, there are things they will have to give,” Young says. “There’s always a happy medium to be found if you’re willing to sit down and have the discussion.”
“It’s been said that neither side is going to be happy, and that happens with a lot of social issues, where they just can’t reconcile. Our hope is that the property rights of all people are protected,” Parker said.
The committee for the proposed standards of the solar farms have until April 4 to submit their recommendations to the commissioners.
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