A public meeting was held in Fredonia Wednesday night to provide information about a proposed solar project on the border of Caldwell and Lyon counties.
At the open-house meeting, Paul Griffin, with RWE Clean Energy, LLC, and the Development Manager of the Pleasant Valley Solar project, explained that the proposed solar facility will have a capacity of up to 125 megawatts. It will be situated on approximately 1,000 acres of land spanning both county lines, east of the Western Kentucky Correctional Facility.
click to download audioHe noted it will be connected to a 161-kilovolt transmission line owned by Big Rivers Electric Corporation, which runs through the project area.
He also highlighted the tax benefits that the project will generate for the residents of Caldwell and Lyon counties.
Representatives of RWE also answered any questions and listened to both positive and negative feedback about the proposed project from those who attended the meeting.
Dr. Jo Francis Ranval, a Paducah resident who owns land in the proposed project area along with other family members, opposes the solar project.
Angela Magney, owner of the Magney Legacy Ridge Farm located adjacent to the proposed solar panel site, holds a contrasting perspective on the project.
click to download audioAmanda Davenport, the Executive Director of the Lake Barkley Partnership for Economic Development, attended the meeting and believes that the solar project presents a valuable opportunity for the local area.
click to download audioDavenport mentioned that the solar farm would be the largest in Kentucky, and she is interested in observing its impact on the region and using it as a statewide example for other solar farms in the commonwealth.
Davenport further clarified that the benefits of the project would largely depend on the ownership and utilization of the land, determining whether individuals would reap advantages from it.
click to download audioThe informational meeting was held in the Activities Building at the Fredonia Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
At the open-house meeting in Eddyville Tuesday night, Griffin said they received both positive and negative feedback from around 20 community members in attendance.
