Energy Independence
The Eastern Panhandle region has an opportunity to expand West Virginia’s leadership as the fifth-largest energy producer in the nation and bolster economic growth by harvesting our vast solar resource.
Economic Stability
By producing our homegrown energy, West Virginia creates quality jobs in the energy sector and related industries while generating additional revenue through energy exports. In 2022, West Virginia supplied two-fifths of its generated electricity to the regional grid and ranked among the top states in interstate transfers of electricity. Home grown energy in West Virginia and the region has been a point of pride for generations.
Energy Affordability
A robust energy production capacity can lead to more affordable energy prices for consumers and businesses within the state. This affordability is crucial for maintaining competitiveness in industries that rely heavily on energy, such as manufacturing and transportation.
Energy Security
A diverse energy portfolio enhances WV’s energy security by reducing vulnerability to supply disruptions. This resilience is particularly important during emergencies or crises when uninterrupted energy supply is essential for public safety and welfare. Having a reliable energy supply will mitigate damages and improve recovery time in the event of a disaster.
Solar Development
Land Use Rights
Mountaineers are always free, and farmers have the freedom to decide how they use their land. By choosing to lease their land for solar farms, they exercise their property rights to generate income from their property.
Farmland Preservation
For years, farmers looking to downsize operations or diversify in Jefferson County had few options other than residential subdivision. Using farmland for solar energy gives farmers a new option that preserves the land’s agricultural potential. Land participating in a solar project is effectively in a “temporary conservation easement”, and agricultural activities can continue during the project’s life and after its decommissioning.
Increased Tax Revenue
Solar projects bring considerable tax revenue to the county. Each project is projected to bring millions of dollars in tax payments to the county. With an increasing population, we’ve desperately needed financial support for county services, and solar is the solution. The county could balance the budget and hire more full-time county employees including EMS and firefighters. The school system could fund the new elementary schools being built and make improvements to the existing facilities. The possibilities for how the income could be used are endless, and we must capitalize on this opportunity to gain millions of dollars for our citizens.
No Impact on County Services
Increased tax revenue is independent of any substantial impact on county services. Solar projects don’t require strenuous utilities usage and operational teams are small, so the impact to county services and infrastructure is inconsequential. Compared to alternative methods of increasing a county’s tax base, this tradeoff is favorable.
Construction Jobs
Solar projects prioritize the hiring of local and regional firms for construction labor. Each grid-scale project will create 150-200 construction jobs during the construction processes. Local labor is also utilized for ongoing site maintenance.