https://www.spencercountyjournal.com/content/grandview-solar-project-amps
Unfortunately, this original link is no longer active, however IF the Spencer County Journal has any microfilm, microfiche or physical copies of the printed paper dated September 25, 2019, the contents of this article could be proven.
I was able to find a “copy” of the article located at the web address below, however in the past I have discovered “some” of the Spencer County Journal articles that had certain words or phrases deleted once it was transferred over to another site.
Anyway, what you see below is from the original digital listing dated 9/25/19
The bold and underlined lettering is from me, in order to accent certain IMPORTANT words or comments.
Basically this WILL verify the county KNEW that Grandview had to approve the ONE parcel that was within the town limits, while the COUNTY approved the tax abatement AND declared the land in question an Economic Redevelopment Area.
It is also interesting to note that at least ONE of the commissioners was in the audience at the time of this meeting and asked questions.
I think someone should investigate this event, in order to find out what attorney was present representing the county at the time as well as find out why NONE of the County Commissioners prevented the Town of Grandview from approving the entire project, including the parcels that were located outside the town.
Something really smells rotten here.
Also, if the County Council was meeting, was the Spencer County Zoning Administrator, Kay Erwin present? I ask this because she has personally told me that she was present at the Grandview Town Meeting when the town approved this solar project.
Just my thoughts,
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County to review 75-acre planned development inside town limits
By The Staff
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
GRANDVIEW – A proposed solar array in the Grandview area has taken an important step forward. Though, a relatively minor issue pertaining to the boundaries of the project has necessitated some additional discussion before the whole project is set in stone, the bulk of the planned development is set to go forward.
Justin Wolf of Orion Renewable Energy Group returned to Spencer County to address the county council about the company’s plans for a minimum investment of $50 million into a solar project on land leased from more than 50 local property owners in and north of Grandview. The company, which also spearheaded a project of similar scale in the eastern part of the county near Troy, asked the council for a standard 10-year property tax abatement and resolution declaring the land in question an Economic Redevelopment Area.
The council was generally amenable to the request, given that the terms were similar to that of the already-approved Troy Solar project. However, a small issue arose with the fact that about 75 acres of the 1,500 acres proposed for the ERA were within the town limits of Grandview, and therefore under the jurisdiction of the town council. That is not to suggest that those 75 acres are off limits, Orion Renewable Energy Group will simply need to take that matter up with the Grandview Town Council in order to include that small section of land to the overall project.
Wolf noted that even in the event that the town of Grandview was not amenable, the project would still have more than enough ground to work with to meet its minimum proposed investment of $50 million, with the likely total amount being closer to $75 million. The Spencer County Council ultimately approved an amended ERA map excluding the 75 acres in Grandview, as well as the standard 10-year abatement.
While the ERA encompasses around 1,500 acres, only around 300 are likely to host solar panels and other infrastructure. The solar farm itself would be able to power about 17,000 homes upon completion. The power generated would be used locally, with the surplus passed down the line depending on demand. The project timeline expects completion in 2024.
The southern tip of the planned project area would be roughly along 12th Street in Grandview, bounding the western side of Indiana 66 and Old State Road 245. The northern boundary would be near East County Road 550 N. The western boundary lays to the west of North County Road 300 E. Arrangement of solar panels on this large surface area has not yet been determined.
Commissioner Al Logsdon, who was present in the audience, asked Wolf how the presence of solar arrays and other infrastructure might impact landowners, given that such land will be taxed for commercial use rather than agricultural. Wolf explained that the company would make up the difference between the two tax rates to any affected landholders, as outlined in the lease agreements for land use.
Wolf also emphasized the potential benefit of lower energy costs for local customers once the Grandview and Troy Solar projects are completed. While no agreements have been made with utilities with regard to the Grandview development as yet, he expects the market will be quite friendly to the power generated there once it becomes available. Evansville-based Vectren has joined Orion Renewable Energy Group as a partner in the Troy Solar project.
Wolf explained that solar power is rapidly declining in cost, and is already competitive or cheaper than most alternatives. He noted that Vectren’s proposal for a new natural gas plant in Posey County was halted due to a ruling by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. That ruling specifically noted the drastic decline of renewable energy costs, and urged Vectren and other utilities to explore the affordability of those options and ensure ratepayers were not saddled with higher costs from a long-term investment that proved more expensive.
Wolf also pointed out that Northern Indiana Public Service Company has committed to fully phase out all its coal plants by 2028, simply due to market forces at play. He noted that major companies, both in technology and manufacturing sectors, have begun to take local renewable power generation into account when siting new developments of their own. Apple, for example, built a new data center near an Iowa wind farm due to the lower costs of the power source. He added that even many steel mills and other heavy industries are attracted to communities with renewable power sources due to the rapidly diminishing costs of those sources and pointed to the synergy between solar and steel given the growth in solar-panel manufacturing.
Around 200 to 300 construction jobs would be generated during the installation phase, and a small number of longstanding employment opportunities will also be generated in the form of on-site security and maintenance. The Grandview solar farm has a tentative completion date of Dec. 21 2024 at the latest, though it could come online years ahead of that if conditions are favorable.
Wolf said one of the biggest direct benefits for the county would be additional tax revenues over the lifetime of the project, lower taxes for local residents in southern Hammond Township as well as $13 to $15 million in revenue going to participating landowners in the area during the 30-year lease.
The Troy Solar project should begin construction later this year. Wolf expressed hope that both planned solar farms would ultimately benefit all parties.
“We’re very excited to be your county,” said Wolf.
In other business at the Sept. 17 meeting of the Spencer County Council, Richard Hedrick of Spencer County Community Corrections offered an update on the organization’s activities. Though success rates from home-detention participants have gone down slightly, the drug-court program still maintains a strong 65 percent success rate, as gauged by a lack of recidivism among those engaged with the program.
Hedrick said the organization plans to analyze the common factors among those who fail for one reason or another and those that succeed, with the aim of isolating what helps or harms an individual’s chances. He hopes success rates in all programs can be raised in this manner.
Council President Blake Bunner said the fact that more than half those enrolled in those programs ultimately succeed is encouraging.
“You’ve got to celebrate those victories,” he said. “You can save generations there.”
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