Part 3 of York County Commissioners’ discussion on solar project zoning – Public comments made

Editor’s note: This is the third installment regarding this week’s York County Commissioners’ conversation about solar zoning regulations. Due to the sheer volume of conversation, it has been broken into segments.
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​YORK – This week, the York County Commissioners again took on the tough discussion of creating zoning regulations for solar energy projects.
Part of that meeting included public comments, with many speaking about alternative regulations brought forward by Commissioner Joe Burgess who is suggesting much shorter setbacks than what was previously outlined by the county’s zoning/planning commission.
An attorney representing landowners who are against solar projects in York County and are proponents of the half-mile setbacks proposed by the zoning/planning commission, told the commissioners, “Your voters do not like solar” and referred to a recent recall election which ousted a county board member. “My understanding is that York County is ranked number one for crop production in Nebraska and you should not give that up. Converting this land to inefficient energy projects is a really bad trade.” He also said solar and wind projects cause electricity rates to go up. “And your county can ban solar if you want. If you really want tax dollars, you can raise your occupation taxes here which will have the people traveling on Interstate 80 pay it.”
Kim Regier, a rural York County resident, said, “I’m not directly involved in the McCool project but my mother has been approached about another proposed project by Benedict. There is the saying ‘Democracy dies in silence.’ This phrase describes how inactivity leads the erosion of rights and representation. After reading recent news articles, I was left with the conclusion perhaps York County’s democracy is dying in a college dorm room. I read how a young commissioner is seemingly OPPD’s representative on the York County Board and has appointed himself in charge of zoning and is advocating the board to bypass the feelings of the people outlined by the planning/zoning commission. The planning/zoning commission exists so democracy lives with the people. I saw the planning/zoning commission’s regulations pass to only learn later they were undone. OPPD’s tactics eliminate the voices of the people, anything to achieve their agenda. And the people (on the commissioners’ board) living the furthest away from the project are the ones pushing the initiative.”
Orville Stuhr of rural Waco noted, “solar – it’s relatively the new kids on the block and there are a lot of things we don’t understand. Solar technology is available with the intent to reduce CO2 emissions. It’s relatively new and there is still a learning curve. Solar farms don’t use water, which I see as a benefit. We need to figure out how to get solar to work alongside other power sources.”
One individual, who said he was a UNL student, encouraged board members to attend higher education, as mandated by LB 663, to ensure decisions “are made on facts, not personal opinions. There must be evidence-based decisions.”
A woman who said she lives in rural York County directly addressed Commissioner Burgess, saying, “You made no mention of the people you represent. Shouldn’t York County’s people be the people you listen to? The planning/zoning commission set fair setbacks. You are either pushing your own agenda or that of OPPD. We deserve someone who will represent us. Come walk on my property and see where my children play.”
Jim Klute of rural York County said he felt one issue hadn’t been addressed. “Underneath this solar field will be grass and it will get dry and if it starts on fire, Joe (Burgess), you better sell tickets because no one’s ever seen a fire that big. We are talking four square miles and that’s quite a fire.”
Dustin Marvel, representing OPPD, said he hadn’t intended on speaking, “but I feel an obligation to talk. I want to clarify that OPPD is a public power district, we are a political subdivision” and regarding Commissioner Burgess’ proposed regulations “being attacked, I’d at least commend him for thinking out of the box. This board has a hard decision to make. At the end of the day, the zoning regulations need to have rational thought in making those decisions. This comes down to rational (reasoning) for setbacks. You are regulating what a landowner can and can’t do with their own property.”
Gene Jackson from the rural McCool area said he’d like to see inverters and battery storage included in the regulations. He also said he’s talked with property owners who have signed leases with OPPD “and they are locked out, they can’t graze them. They have signed away their rights.”