By Stephen Smoot
MN8, the global corporation that plans to construct a new solar farm in Old Fields, has shared revised compromise plans on the project based on reactions from Hardy County residents and other stakeholders.
Project developer Eric Duncan stated that the pivot came “as we progressed and heard . . . similar messages and concerns.”
Major changes include the transmission lines that would distribute power from the facility. Duncan explained that, in response to concerns about the generated power going to Northern Virginia, they received permission to switch to a north and south running line. The “electrons,” as Duncan described, would go into the Hardy substation south of Moorefield.
From that substation, the power would serve Moorefield, but also go into smaller lines extending west toward Petersburg and east in the direction of Baker.
Many residents expressed worries about the overall aesthetics of the project, especially the proposed size of 1,500 acres. Originally the project would have taken up that acreage in production of up to 250 MW. Now the scaled back proposal envisions 1,000 acres and up to 175 MW of generated electric power.
Investment numbers did not change much. MN8 still plans on putting $300 million into the project.
Duncan discussed the revenues that will go to local government entities via a PILOT agreement. PILOT serves as the private sector version of “payment in lieu of taxes.” This represents a negotiated way that certain major businesses can fulfil tax obligations to the County. Another “payment in lieu of taxes” is called PILT and refers to what the federal government pays local governments for its ownership of area lands, such as national forests.
The agreement will run over 20 years and generate at least $7 million in that time frame. At that point, the project will continue for at least 15 more years and continue to pay obligations outside of the PILOT framework. Duncan stated that could top $10 million in local tax support.
Other important concerns revolve around the condition of the land upon termination of the project. Duncan explained that the project’s solar grazing plan, that intends to work with local and area farmers, could help to improve the soil under the panels jobs economic impact.
