The city will intervene in the solar energy plan

The City of Lexington today asked the Kentucky Public Utilities Commission for the right to intervene in a case involving the siting of a solar energy facility on a farm in Fayette County.

East Kentucky Power Cooperative has asked the commission for permission to build a solar power plant in Fayette County. The commission regulates public utilities in Kentucky. Under state law, public utilities are exempt from local zoning regulations. The only opportunity the city has to consider this proposal before the Commission is to intervene.

“The city does not currently allow commercial solar installations under its zoning ordinances,” said Mayor Linda Gorton. “We need time to study and create a solar plan that serves the best interests of Fayette County.”

The mayor expressed concerns that the city is concerned about lasting implications for land use policy related to solar energy generation on commercial and agricultural lands. “The city has long restricted commercial and industrial uses in agricultural areas because of the importance of agriculture to our economy,” she said.

The development is to be located on 387 acres in eastern Fayette County. The property is intended for agricultural purposes. Agriculture and agribusiness contribute more than $2.3 billion annually to the local economy.

Gorton said the city supports renewable energy. “But we should have a say in determining where projects like this are located in this county,” Gorton said.

The proposed project would provide only questionable benefits, if any, to Lexington-Fayette County. “All or almost all of the energy produced would be sold on the wholesale market and would provide little energy to consumers in Lexington,” Gorton said.