The area landowners currently leasing acres to outsider Industrial Solar Companies will not produce energy for our area! Merchant Solar Generating Facilities sell energy wholesale on the 'grid' to huge companies like Amazon and Google for Green Energy Tax Credits.
Solar power’s inefficiency argues for proper siting on brownfields, industrial areas, and commercial and residential rooftops - not on open or forested, agricultural and rural land.
Based on recent studies, the expected reduction in property value ranged from 5-25% depending on proximity.
Insufficient surety fund by the developer could result in county responsibility for decommissioning costs. Net Decommissioning costs can range from $43,584/MW to $101,915/MW. No plan and cost should ever be approved without a full understanding of the cost to return the land to its original condition, and the county should not be responsible for this cost.
Local planning commissions and boards of supervisors should vote to reject industrial-scale solar power plants when people in the community oppose it. With time, greater awareness of solar issues and accountability will take place.
Temporary soil stabilization measures, such as spreading a layer of mulch, will
not be effective in active construction zones. Project construction should be staged over several years to limit the risk to the wetlands and streams.
Innergex is one of several companies who wish to cover 10,000 acres (or more) of prime Mason County farmland with industrial solar panels. A project manager of the company confirmed that Innergex used panels containing Cadmium Telluride at the nearby Mount Orab facility. Below are statements from the CDH Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and Fire Protection and Safety Foundation relating to the toxicity and handling of Cadmium Telluride. References available.
Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS) Cadmium Telluride
SECTION 6: Accidental release measures 6.1 Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures Use personal protective equipment. Avoid dust formation. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Avoid breathing dust. For personal protection see section 8. 6.2 Environmental precautions Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so. Do not let product enter drains. Discharge into the environment must be avoided. 6.3 Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up Pick up and arrange disposal without creating dust. Sweep up and shovel. Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal. 6.4 Reference to other sections For disposal see section 13. SECTION 7: Handling and storage 7.1 Precautions for safe handling Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid formation of dust and aerosols. Provide appropriate exhaust ventilation at places where dust is formed. For precautions see section 2.2. 7.2 Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities Store in cool place. Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Storage class (TRGS 510): Non-combustible, acute toxic Cat.3 / toxic hazardous materials or hazardous materials causing chronic effects
Fire Protection and Safety Foundation
Cadmiun Telluride is a commonly used photovoltaic technology. When the panels are damaged by fire it introduces potentially dangerous levels of materials such as cadmium, a known carcinogenic. Do not touch fire damaged panels without protective gloves. For large solar systems involved in a fire, additional precautions should be considered to protect downward populations from respiratory . Some of the materials used in solar power components are known to be a problem when they decompose in a fire. Although stable under normal conditions, they exhibit adverse effects if released as a vapor or fluid.
Panels damaged by fire or extreme weather events may well leak toxic materials, not just Cadmium which is highly carcinogenic. Many in the community seem to be relying on developers to give "unbiased" information on cash benefits, energy production, property values, setbacks, toxicity & drainage.
Find more about solar policy, resources, news, and information on our News & Information page.
Contact your Mason County Officials and let them know that you don't want industrial solar on agricultural land.
Your donation can help make a difference and protect our beloved, irreplaceable farmland.
Citizens Voice of Mason County, Inc.
P.O. Box 143
Maysville, KY 41056
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