After a year and a half of looking into whether an industrial solar farm is right for the Town of Stafford, The Stafford Solar Committee has come to a majority decision that industrial solar energy facilities are not suitable for the Town of Stafford.
In completing their study, the seven member committee looked into local, state and federal regulations as it refers to renewable energy. They also looked into the economics, the science and the investment part of an industrial solar farm.
Citing some legal and economic downfalls, like entering into a one sided secretive lease agreement, reducing property values, which can reduce the town’s tax base and lead to a tax increase for property owners, the health and well being of residents and animals, due to electromagnetic transient energy, the use of productive farm land for a large industrial site(10acres or more) and the idea that it does not fit in with the rural nature of the area were issues that were looked into during the study.
Several presentations were scheduled during the study period that brought speakers to the area from NYSERDA and Soil and Water along with former State Attorney General Dennis Vacco who owns a family farm south of the Buffalo area who spoke about contracting with solar companies.
The Town of Stafford has had a moratorium in place during the study which prohibits solar farms and solar power plants from being constructed. It is set to expire at the end of summer.
A report will be generated from the Solar Committee and handed over to the Town Board who will then decide what direction the Town of Stafford will go in with regards to industrial solar farms.
According to Town Supervisor Bob Clement, after they receive the report from the Solar Committee next month the board can start to write a law.
Dan Compitello, Zoning Outreach Manager for Cypress Creek, a solar company looking to place an industrial farm in Stafford, says land owners in Stafford have been waiting for a little over 2 years now for a solar law to come through.
“It has been a long time to wait,” says Compitello.