Pacts OK’d for new solar facility

The newest addition to the list of solar farms under development in Jay County is gaining traction.

Jay County Commissioners approved economic development, road use and decommissioning agreements with Hodson Energy during a meeting Monday.

The company is planning New Jay Solar, 220-acre solar facility in Richland Township east of Dunkirk. Jay County Council approved a 10-year tax abatement with Hodson Energy in January. Per the agreement, the company will have 100% of property taxes abated over the entirety of the 10-year period, saving Hodson Energy $4.4 million in property taxes. 

As negotiated, the company will provide $2.516 million in economic development funds to Jay County over four years — about $629,000 annually estimated to start in 2028.

County attorney Wes Schemenaur explained Hodson Energy’s development plan still needs to be reviewed by Jay County Plan Commission, which is waiting on a few appointments from Jay County Council and Portland. Once new members are assigned to the commission, it will need to meet for its first (organizational) meeting prior to discussion about the solar farm. Jay County Plan Commission will need to find Hodson Energy compliant with the current solar ordinance and approve its plan in order for the project to advance. 

Answering a question from commissioners president Chad Aker, Schemenaur said commissioners did not have to wait for plan commission’s decision to move forward with the three agreements.

Commissioner Brian McGalliard noted Hodson Energy marks the fourth solar farm planned for Jay County in coming years. (Other facilities on the horizon are Skycrest Solar from Invenergy, Rose Gold Solar from Leeward Renewable Energy and Sun Chief Solar from Scout Clean Energy.) He pointed out slow progress with the other farms, which have not yet started construction.

“How many (are) going to be enough?” he asked.

Schemenaur noted the county could impose a moratorium if it desires, postponing future solar farm development plans until the current projects are complete. McGalliard and commissioner Rex Journay both voiced support — they took no formal action Monday — on looking into a moratorium.

“That’s my main concern, is we don’t (have) a single one built and operating yet,” said McGalliard.

“I think you’re correct. I think it’s something that we need to consider until we get, as you said, until we get something built,” added Journay.

In related news, local resident Stan Pitman noted his son’s property is located in the middle of the land set out for Hodson Energy’s solar farm. He explained their home will be bordered on three sides by the farm and said they had learned about the project from coverage in The Commercial Review. He asked why they hadn’t yet been notified by the county or company about the development.

Schemenaur explained a public hearing was hosted prior to council’s approval of the tax abatement in January, as required by law. (Public notice about the meeting was also advertised in the newspaper.) Residents or property owners living in the area should be notified by mail of the project prior to Jay County Plan Commission’s public hearing on the matter, he added.

••••••••

For more commissioners news, see Wednesday’s newspaper.