Decision expected next month on solar farm in Butler Twp.; residents continue to speak out
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - A sign is placed along Nater Street in protest to a proposed solar farm in Butler Township, which would be in the field opposite the tree line.
FOUNTAIN SPRINGS – Along Nater Street between Ashland and Gordon now are several signs decrying the plan to build a solar farm on the former Ashland Metals site.
U.S. Light Energy of Latham, NY, wants to build the farm on the property, which is now owned by the Wytovich family. The site was operated as a battery recycling facility decades ago and was heavily contaminated with lead.
It had previously been remediated via the demolition of all structures, removal of any above-ground material, and the burial of anything else, creating a clay cap.
Wednesday night marked the third part of a zoning hearing convened by Butler Township zoners to decide whether or not to approve the project.
In a letter read Wednesday, the state Department of Environmental Protection declined to attend the hearing, saying it has no input on zoning decisions.
It instead has to approve any plan to develop or use the property, which is considered a brownfield.
“DEP will review any solar farm plans to be certain the completed work will continue to protect human health and the environment,” Scott Bone, solid waste supervisor, wrote.
Concerns have been raised at both prior meetings regarding noise and community impact, including fears that the solar farm installation will break the cap, exposing lead waste.
About 20 people came out to Wednesday’s continuation and echoed similar concerns, especially considering the proximity to the creek.
Officials from the company emphasized, in response to safety concerns, that solar farms are being constructed at schools, including Tamaqua and Pottsville.
They also emphasized that DEP will allow commercial and industrial uses at the property, so if the solar farm is denied, it could be used for storage without a zoning hearing, as it is already zoned industrial.
Following an executive session, the zoning hearing board said they will re-convene on May 8 at 7pm to make a decision.
The township added that, if approved, the solar farm still has several hoops to jump through, including the planning commission and DEP.
About Author
