PSC approves siting certificate for Jefferson County solar project By
A solar farm EDF Renewables operates near Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo/EDF Renewables)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. The state Public Service Commission has approved the siting certificate for a large solar farm being planned for Jefferson County.
The $125 million Wild Hill Solar project will produce 92.5 megawatts emission-free energy and is expected to generate $134 million to the local economy, including $175,000 in property tax revenues to Jefferson County in the first year.
EDF Renewables plans to build the solar farm which will employ 237,552 solar panels near Washington High School.
In its approval, issued Friday, the PSC said similar projects “typically benefit the local area through taxes collected, payment in lieu of taxes or charitable giving by the company. Areas where these projects are built also typically experience increased retail spending during the construction phase.”
CHARLES TOWN â Nearby homeowners came with various questions and concerns, and the developer of a proposed 795-acre industrial solar farm offered answers.
Intrusive noise or nighttime lighting. Damage to nearby water wells or septic systems. Security cameras facing nearby homes. Could any of these, some residents asked, disrupt or disturb homeowners near the $125 million Wild Hill Solar project proposed for farmland off Kabletown Road outside Charles Town?
âItâs in our back yard essentially,â commented Tina Krop, one of a few residents of the Cloverdale Heights subdivision near the farmland where the Wild Hill Solar project would be built starting next fall. âI just feel like the lack of information is the biggest thing for us.â
PSC considers evidence concerning large solar energy project in Jefferson County By
A solar farm EDF Renewables operates near Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo/EDF Renewables)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. The project manager of a large solar energy farm planned for 795 acres of farmland in Jefferson County disagreed with comments given during a Thursday public hearing when she testified Friday before the state Public Service Commission.
Emily Dalagher
Emily Dalagher of EDF Renewables, which plans to build the Wild Hill solar farm near Washington High School, said the company has had two separate mailings to residents of the Cloverdale Heights subdivision about plans for the project. Testimony from a resident Thursday said there had been little or no information provided from EDF..
Public Service Commission to decide on large solar energy project planned for Jefferson County By
A solar farm EDF Renewables operates near Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo/EDF Renewables)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. The state Public Service Commission will conduct an evidentiary hearing Friday on a large solar energy project proposed for Jefferson County.
The company EDF Renewables wants to use 795 acres of farmland near Washington High School to construct the Wild Hill solar farm that would include 237,552 solar panels.
Charlotte Lane
It needs certification from the PSC to start the construction. State Public Service Commission Chair Charlotte Lane presided over Thursday’s virtual public hearing and will do the same in Friday’s evidentiary hearing.