With news that the Supreme Court had placed the EPA’s Clean Power Plan on hold earlier this month, it was seen as a setback to efforts to move away from fossil fuels to cleaner forms of energy. However, utility executives across the U.S. plan to continue to embrace sustainable energy practices, whether the Clean Power Plan is eventually upheld or not.
An informal survey of big utilities by SNL Energy, found that “planning for a lower carbon future will continue regardless of the Supreme Court’s recent stay of the rule.”
This transition is being seen locally, as the Northampton Board of Supervisors met with Hecate Solar during this Monday’s work session to gather more details about the 185 acre, 20 MW solar farm (Cherrydale Solar Project) proposed for 15446 Seaside Road. The Cherrydale Solar Project will be the first utility-scale solar project in Northampton County. If the process stays on track, construction could start this spring, with production operations beginning early winter. The Cherrydale Project falls in line with the State’s initiative to build more low cost competitive renewable power facilities.
The estimated construction timeline is 6-8 months, and may employ up to 50 people.
The project will include site surveys for wetlands and sensitive species habitat. Hecate’s Director of Development Preston Schulz told the Mirror that their consultant, Terracon, “has/is conducting the sensitive species surveys (along with some of the other environmental studies). The DEQ process can run in parallel to the Northampton County SUP process so we are in process with DEQ as well, however it is my understanding that DEQ requires a letter from the County entity showing that we have achieved our permit with the County before DEQ will ultimately sign off on their permit”.
Cherrydale will also bring tangible financial benefits to the county. Schulz told the Mirror that Hecate will be offering $200,000 cash (to be spent any way the county wants) in the form of a “ $200K Community Improvement Grant, and it’s up to the County how they spend it”. There is expected to be an increase in real estate taxes that would total over $700k over 35 years. Schultz also told the Mirror that “These numbers will be included in the text of the SUP that the County will be voting on on March 8th but can’t share those numbers right now.”
The power generated by the facility will be sold to Old Dominion Power Electric Cooperative. Representatives of Old Dominion noted that most of the power would be used by Northampton.
Editor’s note: Although we generally agree with some of what you stating, we are still reporting that the VA initiative is what it is; it is not so much about competing as it is about finding ways to generate energy that will at the same time reduce carbon emissions. Amazon released a similar statement this week on their website. “long-term commitment to achieve 100 percent renewable energy usage for our global infrastructure footprint.” Government subsidies and tax breaks are not an new thing; it is how corn farmers stay competitive in the midwest, not to mention a burgeoning nuclear power industry would have never gotten off the ground without them…and as we watch the commercial space industry grow, the government is being very helpful and engaged as that transition takes place. We do agree that ‘low cost’ is a relative term, and depending upon point of view, could be construed as misleading. And we did listen to the tape.
Regarding your statement: “State’s initiative to build more low cost competitive renewable power facilities.”
You are creating a false impression that the industrial solar installation being considered, or any current solar installation, is a low cost source of energy. I challenge you to prove the implication that this solar installation can compete economically with the other current sources of power currently available. Electrical energy generated from solar panels and and wind turbines are in fact widely known to be a much more costly form of energy than any other currently being used. The only reason they exist where there are several other far lower cost production methods available is because they are heavily subsidized by our taxes being rebated back to the builders and operators. The reduction in taxes and rebates are mandated by both the legislature in Richmond and Washington DC. The builders of these industrial facilities build to maximize these “kick-backs” from our taxes.
I anxiously wait to meet the first homeowner who is currently using conventional power within the ANEC service area who is willing to install solar panels without tax subsidies and tax credits and can demonstrate a positive return on their investment within 20 years.
If you need to understand this, all you have to do is attend the Northampton County hearings where the most recent installation is being considered or listen to the audio. Additional explanation was given at the Town Hall Meeting Supervisor Hogg conducted last Thursday. Ask why the industrial solar equipment that is planning to descend on us is not going to be taxed the same way the farm and machinery equipment and the commercial machinery of our local businesses are being taxed!