Solar farm concerns in Luzerne County

LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A big environmental change could be coming to a city in Luzerne County. We’re talking about solar energy farms.

But not everyone agrees with the technology taking up space in their backyard.

Nanticoke is in talks to allow building a solar farm on its land, but many residents say not in their backyard.

Frustration inside Nanticoke Municipal Building Wednesday night as discussion over the proposal of a solar farm heats up.

“I am 100% for solar power but not in my backyard,” said Jocelyn Holodick-Reed of Nanticoke.

Jocelyn Holodick-Reed lives about a mile from where a potential solar farm could be placed.

“And I do enter and exhibit our petition we are all 100% against this,” stated Holodick-Reed.

The solar farm is expected to cost more than 14 millions dollars and cover more than 40 acres of land around a housing development on South Hanover Street.

There would be two access points to the facility, one at Middle Road and the other at Kelfield Drive.

Deforestation on the property is a big concern for many in the audience.

“It has low growth on it not tall mature trees,” said John Wadsworth, Director of Operations for Susquehanna Solar.

“No we are not stripping the entire property,” explained Wadsworth.

A Susquehanna Solar official says there would be 4 solar rays and 20 plus panels.

The panels would be fixed-mount with no moving parts and run 4 by 8 feet and made of primarily glass and silicone. There would be an 8 foot fence surrounding the solar farm.

And just a little more north in Dallas Township, there are talks about one going in there too, but an official meeting has yet to be planned.

“I do know that solar panels have been a really big topic especially in the back mountain area and we definitely want to take questions and accounting for what residents have concerns about,” said John Lobardo, Luzerne County Councilman.

Solar farm proposals have been popping up more and more across the region, but some residents want community leaders to think twice and do their research before making a decision.

“I ask you guys do the right thing for us. Please,” pleaded Holodick-Reed.

No decision was made tonight in either Luzerne County meeting. Nanticoke officials say it will get decided at a later date.

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