The Knox County Board approved both conditional use permits for Geronimo Energy to build and operate solar farms at two locations to the east of Galesburg after nearly two hours of public comment, questioning, and discussion.
Several citizens spoke against the solar farm, including Dale Carlson, a local farmer who informed the board that since 1992, more than 15,354 acres of farmland had been lost in the county. Adjacent landowners Steve and Dan Tolley were opposed to the location of the solar farm proposed by Geronimo Energy. Both criticized the lack of transparency on the project.
Additional opposition from Patricia Weaver, Patrick Burns, and Betty Larson raised concerns over the National Agricultural Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) score, which rates soil quality for agricultural use.
Speaking in favor of the solar farm was Galesburg Mayor and WGIL’s owner John Pritchard, Alderman Peter Schwartzman, and Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development Ken Springer.
When asked about specifics of economic impact for municipalities in the county, Springer informed the board that two bills in the state legislator would determine tax revenue. House Bill 5285 could see an impact of $56,399 for the first year towards Knoxville School District 202, Carl Sandburg College, and Knox County. The Senate Bill wasn’t as generous, only seeing tax revenue of $21,226. Springer said he figured those numbers himself and for comparison purposes, he said that the 40 acre plot of land only pays about $1,092 in property taxes.
A few things did come to light at the meeting. The sites were chosen after a review process of county properties on several factors, such as the proximity to substations or connections to Ameren’s power grid and the proximity to wetlands and ecosystems.
Another detail that the board was informed of last night was in regard to the projected build-out for both solar farms. The build-out is not determined by Geronimo Energy, but by demand for solar energy at the state level. Amber Miller with Geronimo said that the selection for which projects get approved from the state is a three phase process, and may result in the Galesburg solar projects not even getting selected.
It was also brought up that the county’s landfill was considered but with the fear of flammable gasses Geronimo ruled out that location for a solar farm.
Discussion took place between county board members who questioned the visibility of the solar farm. Board member Dick Conklin didn’t believe that Geronimo Energy’s proposed eight-foot fence would be minimally visible and suggested a berm for the property, such as a solar farm in the area of Geneseo.
The board approved the Galesburg Solar, LLC at 1698 Knox Highway 9 with 10 voting for it, 4 against, and Tara Wilder abstaining. Dissenting voters were Lyle Johnson, David Erickson, Rick Sandoval, and Conklin.
The second solar farm, East Galesburg Solar, LLC, located at 670 Knox Highway 7 was approved by a narrower margin. 9 board members voted to approve while 5 voted against, and Tara Wilder abstained. Joining the four dissenting voters was Jared Hawkinson, who said that he was not keen on the location of the second solar farm.
