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COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
CRAWFORD COUNTY, Kan. (KOAM) — Questions continue over a proposed solar project in Crawford County following last week’s county commission meeting, as a revised proposal from solar company Shasta Power draws mixed reactions from residents.
Some residents say transparency remains their top concern.
“I’m not anti-solar. I’m not pro-solar. I’m pro-transparency,” said Crawford County resident Matthew Harrison.
Shasta Power says it revised its proposal in response to concerns raised by residents. Company representatives, along with landowners where the project would be built, have been meeting directly with neighbors to explain changes to the plan.
One of those landowners, Rick Elnicki, said the revised proposal includes moving the fenced project area farther from nearby homes.
“The flag behind me is about 400 feet from my property line, and most of these homes are another 200 feet from here,” Elnicki said. “So, it would be approximately 600 feet from any of these homes before they would even see a privacy fence. They wouldn’t see the solar panels because they’re lower than the eight-foot privacy fence.”
Under Shasta Power’s latest proposal, the company also would provide direct payments to homeowners who live near the proposed project site. But some residents say financial compensation doesn’t address their broader concerns.
“They’re pressuring the council. They’re pressuring the commission. They’re pressuring the neighbors,” Harrison said. “People don’t want to be pressured. They want to be informed. They want to trust the people making these decisions.”
County leaders say the ongoing debate has highlighted a larger issue — outdated regulations.
Crawford County Commissioner Bruce Blair said the county’s comprehensive plan, which guides development decisions, has expired and does not include language addressing wind or solar projects.
“I think at this point where we’re at right now, we need to get the comprehensive plan done,” Blair said. “Our current comprehensive plan is expired. It has no language that covers wind or solar. Quite frankly, we need to have those kinds of regulations in place before we approve any more projects.”
Shasta Power and participating landowners are expected to speak at an upcoming Crawford County Commission meeting as discussions continue.
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
Multimedia Journalist
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