HINDS COUNTY, Miss. ( WJTV ) – Plans for a massive solar investment in rural Hinds County face pushback by some residents, claiming the project was greenlit far too quickly.

Apex Clean Energy, which is based in Virginia, has cleared the first of many hurdles that would bring Mississippi’s largest solar plant to Hinds County. After holding a public comment session, the Hinds County Board of Supervisors approved the project in June.

One Raymond resident, Allison Lauderdale, filed an appeal of the affirmative vote. It calls for a year-long delay of construction. Residents claim the project will harm the environment, local wildlife, and decrease property values.

“Mississippi has no guidance, or regulations or guidelines in place for large scale solar panels at all. This is our livelihood. We worked hard to have the homes that we have and the land that we have, and we want to make sure our community is protected,” said Lauderdale.

Brian O’Shea with Apex Clean Energy said there are still more approvals needed for the project.

“I don’t really think that’s a warranted concern. Over 4 million Americans have solar panels on their roofs. It does not, you know give off air pollution, emissions, or anything of that nature. We don’t really see any justification for delay. The project went through the local permitting process, and it was not the first solar project to go through this local process in Hinds County. The local permit was the first step of that process, but we’re confident we can get through those other steps,” he said.

The process moving forward includes more approval from the Mississippi Public Service Commission (PSC), the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), and federal checks. The PSC is likely to further debate the pros and cons of the project for rate payers.

“Clean energy is one of the most affordable sources of new energy, so you’re going to see it continue to grow in a state like Mississippi,” said O’Shea.

“They’re coming in like ants and just making their beds everywhere, and it has to be stopped,” said Lauderdale.

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