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Dec. 15, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: Recently, Rockbridge County has been getting requests for permits for solar farms, with at least one already under construction. Whatever your thoughts are about solar generated power, it’s undeniable that they are an eyesore, and a scar on our beautiful county’s landscape.
One of the latest proposals is the Hilltop Solar Project in Natural Bridge Station. This is in an area along the James River that has been designated the Upper James River Water Trail. It’s also within view of the James River Wilderness Face and the Jefferson National Forest. This part of Rockbridge County is home to three campgrounds, two canoe and kayak liveries, and is popular with hikers, backpackers, horseback trail riders and mountain bike riders. People come to this area to enjoy its natural beauty. It’s one of the ways that Rockbridge County generates tourism dollars. If this project is permitted, it will also have a direct negative impact on the value of some of the surrounding property, including mine.
Some of the areas of concern for a solar farm site are: how much agricultural land will they take out of production; are there parts of the county that are better suited for these solar power plants; who pays for the clean up and disposal of the site when they are done; are there any dangerous or hazardous materials that will have to be disposed of; and what remedies will be offered to nearby land owners whose property is now devalued?
The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors, led by David Mc-Daniel, is addressing some of these issues by trying to come up with some guidelines for future solar projects. I would urge anyone who is interested in the future of solar farms in Rockbridge County to contact their supervisor and talk about this. One may be coming to a site near you.
DON and JEANNE JEFFER Natural Bridge Station
