BAY MINETTE, Ala. (WALA) – One hundred and eighty-two people attended a public meeting to hear Silicon Ranch address questions and concerns about a proposed solar farm near Stockton.
The company started with a presentation of more than an hour where they talked about communities they currently have working solar facilities in. They showed how they would manage the Stockton property and talked about the timeline and contractual obligations.
Prior to the meeting, dozens of protesters with the Stop Solar in Baldwin group lined Highway 31 in front of Bay Minette City Hall and Civic Center. They then made their way into the civic center where residents asked as many questions as they wanted.
Questions and concerns
Topics included buffers and wildlife corridors, the grading and management of the land, turtles and other animal concerns, and how many jobs would be produced before and after construction. Residents also asked why the location was chosen.
Reagan Farr, co-founder and CEO of Silicon Ranch, said the company has a signed contract with Alabama Power.
“We have a commitment. We have a signed contract with Alabama Power. We are committed to deliver electrons to them at the interpoint of connection. We’re working on getting construction started on interconnection that’s going to be built,” Farr said.
Judy Pimperl, who is against the project, said nothing she heard would change her position.
“No. No because I feel like it wasn’t properly studied. It’s all moving so fast. It’s relatively new kind of industry to us here and I feel like especially this project because of where it’s located,” Pimperl said.
Rob Cranny, also against the project, said he does not see how the project will benefit Baldwin County.
“I don’t see where what is going on is going to benefit Baldwin County. The electricity is going to the Alabama Power Company which doesn’t serve Stockton. The data center is in Montgomery, so that’s not in Stockton. So, any jobs that come will be here today and gone tomorrow,” Cranny said.
Farr said Silicon Ranch has the 4,500-acre property under contract and will soon take ownership. He said the company has also completed studies on environmental and wetland impacts as well as a survey for any threatened or endangered species
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