Salisbury residents react to proposed solar facility

Fruitland, Md. – Thursday’s public comment hearing on a 5-megawatt solar power proposal has passed several hurdles and received multiple recommendations from state agencies. The project would be located on Union Church Road in Salisbury. However, residents at a public comment hearing were vehemently against the proposal.

Multiple residents expressed concern over the project being “an eyesore,” with one resident, 55-year Deer Harbor Community resident Lillie Largey describing alarm at the possibility of it being “monstrous nightmare.” Deer Harbor is a residential community in Salisbury, which includes Union Church Road. Other residents said the project would impact their water, with one resident, Nathaniel Morton, saying it would impact well water.

“The ordinance case will permanently, irreversibly affect my property by my quality of life,” Morton said. “My financial interest and ecological integrity of the surrounding communities.”

Presided by Public Utility Law Judge Kristin Case Lawrence, the hearing featured presentations by Jonathan Stone, development director for APR Renewables, leading the Wicomico Rayne Solar Project, the applicant for the facility and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Mark Mank, a case manager for the DNR’s Power Plant Research Program, said the DNR and six other agencies had considered several possible concerns for the project, including its impact on, among other things, public safety, aesthetics, noise and agricultural resources. State agencies recommended to the Public Service Commission last week that the project be approved.

Also in attendance was Wicomico County Council President John Cannon. He lauded residents for their comments and said recent state legislation had “taken the local economy away from the local government.” Maryland legislation passed in 2022 requires the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2031.

However, though most residents were against the project, citing concerns over water runoff and contamination, some were more open to renewable energy projects, but not in a residential area.

“Our community supports responsible renewable energy development,” Deer Harbor Community President Melissa Cassell said. “We recognize the importance of solar energy and the role that it plays in reducing our environmental impact. However, we strongly oppose siting this large-scale solar installation immediately adjacent to an established residential neighborhood.”

Others were concerned the project would change the very nature of the area.

“I think we ought to think very carefully before we start this, and at the very least, have a major contract,” Largey said.

Residents have until April 30 to submit their comments. Comments can be filed via mail or online at the PSC website.