STOCKTON — Nearly 300 people showed up Monday for a town hall on a proposed solar farm in the Stockton community. As people poured into the Stockton Civic Club, an outdoor overflow area also filled.
Nashville-based Silicon Ranch is attempting to develop a 2,000-acre solar farm on a private, 4,500-acre property near the Tensaw River Delta wetlands. The project would support a Meta data center near Montgomery.
The project has raised concerns about environmental impact and a lack of communication from officials. The Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) approved the project on Dec. 2, 2025, but residents said they didn’t learn of it until last week.
“Here we are, a massive grassroots civilian group who is quickly organizing and putting their heads and resources and connections together to find a way to stop this unwanted project that giant corporations and some sneaky politicians cooked up,” said organizer Meagan Fowler. “They underestimated Stockton and they underestimated Baldwin County.”
Nick Williams, the managing editor of Great Days Outdoors, said he grew up in the area and has a deep appreciation for the land's historical, unique value.
“This is a small town. This is not an unimportant town,” Williams said. “There are people here tonight whose families have been here for more than 200 years. The roots run deep.”
Williams said the solar farm would adversely affect the land, as would a similar project just north of Stockton.
“These projects represent what we believe is an enormous industrial footprint that's quietly forming around a historic rural community and an irreplaceable wetland system,” Williams continued. “This is obviously being done without public consent.”
Williams and other speakers voiced opposition to Senate Bill 71 (SB71) and House Bill 392 (HB392).
SB71 would prohibit state agencies from adopting environmental protection rules that are more stringent than federal regulations.
HB392 would change how Alabama Public Service Commission (PSC) members are chosen. Currently, members are elected. The bill would change the positions to appointed positions.
Jim Zeigler, a PSC candidate, said he doesn’t believe the PSC has properly vetted the project or been transparent about it. He suggested a motion for reconsideration to the PSC.
“It's not a farm. They call it a solar farm because we love our farms,” said Zeigler. “It has a warm, rural dirt, close to the ground feeling to call it a farm. It's not a solar farm. It's a solar monstrosity right here in Stockton.”
Zeigler also suggested that the Baldwin County Commission adopt residential zoning for the land.
With hundreds of passionate people coming together and crossing political lines, Larry Vaughn reminded people to stay engaged.
“What we got is the power of the people,” Vaughn said.
“That’s right!” someone in the crowd yelled, followed by applause.
“You've got to vote,” Vaughn continued. “And if we can get this many people to vote, we can get some changes made around here. That is what we need. We need change because this is our life and this is our home and we want our children to be raised here and grandchildren. So, everybody knows we can do it. I’m thankful that everybody showed up here tonight. We just need more community action and vote, vote, vote!”
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