A $220 million, 550-acre, 175-megawatt solar farm from Mitsubishi power venture Oriden could be in development for the Dogwood community of Christian County.
During Tuesday’s convening of the Christian County Fiscal Court, magistrates nearly tabled a one-hour discussion surrounding a resolution allowing for the issue of an industry revenue bond to the company, before eventually unanimously approving the measure.
Seth Wilmore, director of environmental and permitting at Oriden, spoke and answered questions on behalf of the company — which sought the resolution as an abatement to the potential project.
Already in lease agreements with six landowners in and around KY 107 and the Dogwood area, and coined as Dogwood Corners LLC, Wilmore noted this land in Christian County effectively aligns with Mitsubishi’s diverse power plan and a critical artery of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s power grid.
Wilmore further described that there are several other factors that have made this pending venture advantageous, including perfect topography for solar efficiency and perfect soil for the panel structures.
Concerns from magistrates Jerry Gilliam and Phillip Peterson didn’t surround the impact of the project or its merits, but that there might be some issues from neighbors and residents about the facility’s scope and size, and that they wanted to talk to parties involved. Magistrate Maggie Ferguson issued the same hesitation.
Wilmore positively countered with several points. Installations such as these typically come with property screens to block the “industrial” look. This development has a minimum 35-year lifespan, and outside of construction requires little traffic to and from the site.
Wilmore added that public and county utilities aren’t needed on the property, and that payments in lieu of taxes would benefit all prominent local parties. During construction, more than 200 workers will be needed to build the installation, and five permanent jobs will be created for electrical/HVAC maintenance, as well as vegetation and civil maintenance on the campus.
Oriden officials estimated they’d be paying more than $3 million in school taxes over three decades.
Mark Franklin, public finance attorney for Dinsmore out of Louisville, said the industry revenue bond would only further entice Oriden to locate in Christian County.
Judge-Executive Steve Tribble brought on former county attorney Mike Foster to discuss the bond’s validity and efficacy.
Wilmore went on to say that he and his constituents are continuing to have in-person conversations with other interested landowners and concerned neighbors, who could perhaps balk at this development. One such conversation was scheduled to take place with some citizens on Greenville Road Tuesday afternoon, while others on and around Dogwood Kelly Road and Goode Road have been contacted.
TVA is the likely benefactor of any future purchase power agreements, but Wilmore said selling power to other entities would be a future option.
Tribble said this is just the first step of what could be a comprehensive project for north Christian County.
