Alabama Senate District 32 candidate Mike Vandenhuevel, better known as Mike Van, said he is 100% against the Stockton solar farm project. Van had to revise his original statement on the controversial project after receiving feedback online.
The solar farm proposed by Silicon Ranch would sell power to Alabama Power in support of a Meta data center near Montgomery.
In his original press release, Van erroneously called the project the "Stockton data center" and said that after attending a town hall on the project, he realized people wanted to "understand what's coming and have a voice in the process."
The press release prompted citizens to call for a clear position from Van and to criticize his perceived knowledge of the project.
In response, Van removed the post and replaced it with an updated statement clarifying his position and thanking the public for the feedback.
"I am willing to listen and learn," Van said. "I have revised my statement and want to be perfectly clear: I am 100% against this project. I have said that before, and I want to reiterate it so there is no misunderstanding."
Van said he is looking for ways to prevent projects similar to the one in Stockton from being completed in the future.
"I'm hearing from folks all over Baldwin County who are asking real questions about land use, environmental impact, drainage, and what a project this size could mean for their daily lives," Van stated. "People want transparency and a real voice in decisions that affect their future."
He pointed to a 2013 law granting the Baldwin County Commission the authority to regulate and establish fee schedules for wind-energy facilities.
"The 2013 law recognized that large energy facilities can have major local impacts," Van added. "Because it already covers wind-energy facilities, it could be updated to include other utility-scale energy projects – such as a solar farm intended to power a data center – so counties have clear authority to regulate location, environmental safeguards, and community protections."
Van said if elected, he would make it a priority to manage growth responsibly.
"We can protect our communities, respect local voices, and safeguard our natural resources while ensuring any future development is handled transparently and responsibly," he said.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every day or become a member to gain access to exclusive content and 1819 News merch.

source