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Dec. 2, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: I want to thank the Rockbridge Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors for their well-considered and forward thinking decision to allow the Warm Run Solar project to proceed. It seems as if they have put in place adequate regulations to ensure that adjoining neighbors are protected from water contamination and tree plantings to ensure it is well screened. It will allow the family who owns the property to continue farming the majority of their land. Most importantly, it will provide a non-fossil fuels based source of energy to our community.
In reading multiple accounts of meetings on this issue, I am consistently struck by the characterization of solar panels as “eyesores.” This is truly a case of beauty being in the eye of the beholder. When I see a large solar array, such as the one in Fairfield (now with grazing sheep!), or wind farms, such as the one in Grant County, W.Va., my heart soars. To me they symbolize hope for my grandchildren’s future and are truly beautiful sights. The fact is, we need energy to be generated, and I would much rather have gleaming solar panels in my viewshed than a new power plant with spewing smokestacks. And knowing that they are vastly reducing our CO2 emissions and mitigating disastrous climate change just adds to their appeal.
I hope the citizens of our county will join me in being able to take pride in, be inspired by and find beauty in this project and those to come. ANNETTE GREEN Rockbridge County
