People weigh in on solar zoning regulations and the allowance of large operations in York County

Editor’s note: This is another installment regarding this week’s meeting of the York County Commissioners as they narrowed down setbacks for large industrial projects for the purpose of creating a document of proposed solar regulations ahead of a public hearing. This installment continues coverage of the public forum portion of the meeting, during which individuals addressed the commissioners.
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​YORK – When Morris Weyers of York addressed the county commissioners regarding zoning regulations for large industrial solar projects, he offered a long list of questions. “What is its useful life in the hail belt of York County? What happens to the solar panels at the time their useful life has passed? What is the plan for maintenance and maintenance access? What is the effect of the solar fields on the environmental quality? Why does OPPD use prime agricultural land instead of the Missouri River Bluffs? Is solar the most productive way to generate electricity or just the most politically correct in the eyes of the OPPD Board? Who are the producers of the panels – China or the U.S.? Why did the county appoint a board to study the issue and then refuse their advice?”
Cale Jackson, who said he is an ag student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said he was recommending half-mile setbacks. “It is essential to make sure this doesn’t undermine agriculture.” He talked about concerns over heat effects on crops, the economic impact of losing farm production, the threat of glare, water run-off and erosion. “This is about regulating responsibility, half-mile setbacks are not extreme.”
Brian Soukup told the board, “I am in the middle of this project. I want to thank you for putting the visuals out there (markers placed in fields by the commissioners to help people better gauge distances) but there were no houses near those locations would have been good to see.” At that point, he stopped his testimony and asked Commissioner Joe Burgess if he had something to say, Burgess said he didn’t and Soukup continued on. “We are a rural community. I have a hard time with the fact we have three of five commissioners living in the City of York. I think the rural part of the county needs to be represented. I’ve heard this called a solar farm – it is the furthest thing from a farm. Let’s call it what it is – an industrial facility. And I heard Joe (Burgess) say, regarding the sound, that they are like a refrigerator – well, they are nothing like it. They are very loud. The county needs to step up and as a group go to a large facility and see it, hear it, there is a lot of noise. And who will live amongst this situation? The majority of people who signed up for this project don’t even live there.”
Gary Karnopp told the commissioners, “I live in the middle of this and feed cattle. I’d like to reiterate what has been said about storm damage in this area.”
Grant Jackson of rural McCool Junction handed out a map he created to show the location of the proposed K Junction Solar project, with the committed properties indicated in red. He also noted the blue dots on the map indicate acreages, where people live, who are not participating landowners. “This project will impact up to 30 acreages. Joe (Burgess) said it is un-American to tell people what to do with their land. Well, Joe, zoning isn’t new. If this large solar project is allowed, it will impact more than 3,000 acres. I’ve heard your theory of having 1% of the York County land being the max to be allowed for solar – why make the Hayes Township take them all?”
Chris Ziegler from Waco told the board, “The zoning board came up with legitimate numbers (for setback distances) and if you don’t utilize what they provide, then you just need to dissolve the zoning board. This is a York County issue and you have big decisions to make – I pray you do the right thing.”
A Henderson resident said he didn’t feel solar “is the solution to our power needs. It will take nuclear to supply AI and data centers. And the big issue with setbacks is how they affect property values of neighboring properties.”
Ken Real explained how his agricultural operations are “ground zero for the substation/headquarters for K Junction. We were here back in 2020, during COVID, asking questions about what was going on while EDF was out sneaking around, getting easements. These contracts are dangerous and I feel sorry for those who signed them, and they are under gag orders. I am absolutely opposed to this project. My family came here in the 1880s to farm and raise cattle and I want to be the granddad who tells the kids I was opposed to this thing and I tried. We have a zoning board who understands agriculture and protecting our property rights. And right now, we are having a boom of young families living in the rural area and I’m afraid this project will ruin that. We got an offer from a company about battery storage southwest of McCool – to sign that, well I’d be ashamed for the rest of my life. And you need to cut funding to the York County Development Corporation as it is the most toxic, counterproductive agency in York County.”
Jim Jackson of rural York County said he fears large solar projects will affect the number of young families living in the rural area.
Diana Johnson of Henderson said to the board, “I want to commend people for speaking up while Joe (Burgess) has those facial expressions while you are speaking, to put you down.” She then read a letter from a woman in Hamilton County who could not be present.
Tom Johnson of Henderson said he was worried about fire safety if there is large battery storage at industrial solar sites. (It should be noted how later, the commissioners agreed to include a ban on battery storage for Class 3 and 4 projects in the zoning regulations).
Stephanie Jacobsen of rural McCool Junction said she enjoys her family’s peaceful life on the family farm “and the community of McCool is thriving with lots of families with kids. This will hurt that. This community is based on farming. Solar does not belong in York County.”
Marcia Hoover from York said, “My concern is for the property owners as many bought land out there before there was a project out there.”
A representative of OPPD said he wanted to “thank everyone in this process. I’ve only been in York County for 1 ½ years with this project and I, too, share agricultural roots. I have had the opportunity to sit down, at the kitchen table, with people who believe they have made the best decision to participate (in the K Junction Solar project). Their reasons are varied – some feel this is the only way to keep the family farm. Even though we disagree on some things, thank you for doing what you believe.”
Chris Johnson, who is a deputy York County Attorney, said he wanted to speak “as a private citizen. I’m neither for or against. York County is a great place to live and people care about their community. What this board is deciding is not just this project, this board is deciding the future of what solar looks like in York County. You need to think past this project. This is about setting the rules for all solar projects in the county.”