Now
32°
Thu
47°
Fri
54°
by Elizabeth Haikes
SCOTT TOWNSHIP, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — After hearing from both developers and neighbors, Scott Township supervisors unanimously vote against a proposed solar farm planned for farmland along the Scott and Greenfield Township border.
The township held a conditional use hearing for the Penn Coneflower Solar Project, a proposal that could bring renewable energy to the area, but not without concerns from nearby residents.
Penn Coneflower Solar LLC, a foreign limited liability corporation, is seeking conditional use approval to build a three-megawatt solar facility on nearly 18 acres in Scott Township.
The application was received in October, according to zoning officer Carl Ferraro, and the developer brought multiple expert witnesses to testify.
Jason Funk, Vice President of Permitting and Development East for Dynamic Energy, explained the scope of the project.
“Number one, you’re not looking at an overall massive impact with removal of top soil, and number two, we feel like it’s in a really good spot — it’s up high on a hill, and while there are some residential structures around, we are proposing screening,” said Funk.
Funk said the site would use 600 to 615-watt silicon-based solar panels, which he says are recyclable and not considered hazardous. The facility would be unmanned, remotely monitored, and require minimal traffic after construction.
A water resources engineer testified there would be no glare, no impact to aviation, and that noise from transformers would remain well below township limits, topping out at 32 decibels, compared to the allowed 65.
A real estate appraiser also testified that if properly designed, the solar farm would not negatively impact surrounding property values.
Earlier this month, the Scott Township Planning Commission recommended approval, with six conditions attached.
But during public comment, several neighbors voiced strong opposition.
“Here’s the thing, it doesn’t provide Scott Township with any benefits. So you’re poised to approve this upon the fact that there’s no community benefit, and it has an adverse effect. That just doesn’t make a hell of a lot of sense to me," said Scott Township resident, Gene Chikowski.
Another resident said the project clashes with the rural character of the area.
“I built my house here 17 years ago because I want to be outside in the country and by God you’re going to put in a solar farm. It’s going to look like hell. Who wants to see that?” said Leonard Longo, Scott Township resident.
Developers say the project would have contributed 100k of funding to the township, while also producing clean energy that PPL would purchase off of them.
2025 Sinclair, Inc.

source