Worc. Co. officials have concerns over solar power plan
On Tuesday,in Worcester County, a Seattle based company presented their plans for a large scale solar farm. The company proposing this project is Longview Solar. Byron Crawford, the principal of the company, explained what his company constructs, operates, and maintains solar power facilities across the country. Although the benefits of solar power seem clear, it appears this is a contentious subject for the county. 47 ABC attempted to speak with the principal of the company, but he declined to do a one-on-one interview with us. However, county leaders were more than vocal about this project. The consensus among Worcester county leaders is that they need more time to evaluate the economic impact of two proposed solar plants.
“And to also really dig down to those details on the financials of what those details are as far as impact to the county budget and the tax payers of Worcester county, says ,”Meredith Mears, the Director of Economic Development for Worcester County.
Crawford outlined plans for the plants he proposed building on Libertytown Road and on Public Landing Road.
“They produce no waste, they produce no noise, they require almost no vehicular traffic,” said Crawford during his presentation.
However, in order to go through with this he asked the county to consider decreasing 80% of the property taxes for both locations for 30 years. According to Crawford, the proposal can still make money for the county through income tax as well as through the benefit of new jobs. However, county commissioners responded saying that no exemption has been granted for this long a period. County officials say the longest they have granted exemptions like this was for seven years.
Chip Bertino, a Worcester County commissioner stated during the meeting, “quite truthfully you’re not bringing much to this county as far as jobs on a regular basis. On an ongoing basis one or two jobs…to me it doesn’t seem as good use of the taxpayers money.”
County officials tell us they are not opposed to the idea of bringing a large scale solar farm to the area, they are just tabling it for now. They also agreed that more research is needed to understand the pros and cons for the county.
