State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) released a statement on Wednesday opposing a solar farm in Stockton.
"I passed legislation to ban mud dumping in Mobile Bay in order to protect the environment that makes Baldwin County such a special place to live, and for that same reason, I oppose the proposed solar energy complex in Stockton," Elliott stated.
Stockton is outside of Elliott's district, but he said the community needs to stand together to protect the environment when they "feel threatened and the public's voices are not being heard by the bureaucrats in Montgomery."
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"The solar energy complex is proposed to be built on 4,500 acres of land located near the 260,000-acre Mobile-Tensaw River Delta wetlands, which is the second-largest river delta in the U.S. and is crucial to Baldwin County's commercial fishing, shrimping, and crabbing industries," Elliott said. "Often referred to as 'Alabama's Amazon,' the wetlands area is also a key attraction in Baldwin County's tourism industry.
"I am a proud MAGA supporter of President Donald Trump, and he has taught us the importance of listening to the people – not the politicians – when it comes to important issues affecting our homes and our quality of life," Elliott continued.
Elliott suggested an area outside of Baldwin County and away from wetlands for the project. As a former Baldwin County Commissioner, Elliott emphasized that the Alabama Legislature provides the county with tools to manage land use through planning districts and zoning.
"Residents of Stockton or any other unzoned area in Baldwin County are currently empowered to control land use through local referendum," he added.
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