Opinions vary on proposed solar program in Washington (2024)

ABINGDON, Va. — County officials and residents of Washington County, Virginia this week began discussing the pros and cons of a proposed large-scale solar energy project.

Texas-based Catalyst Energy has proposed placing solar panels on as much as 1,800 acres to collect supplemental energy and sell power to the electricity grid.

County officials have drafted a revised solar energy ordinance and have held meetings this year with Catalyst Energy officials – including a joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission on Tuesday.

Catalyst is interested in coming to Washington County because of proximity to Wolf Hills Energy, a natural gas-fired power plant located near the county’s western border with the city of Bristol Virginia, said County Administrator Jason Berry.

Under the proposal, the company wants to lease land from at least nine different owners in the Wyndale area. However, county officials do not know the exact locations of agricultural parcels slated to be part of what Board Chairman Mike Rush says could be the largest solar farm in Virginia.

The land in question is not contiguous, Catalyst Energy President Steve Malnight said at Tuesday’s meeting.

Lake Wagner, an egg farmer at Green Valley Poultry Farm, said he has signed up to lease his land for the solar project, saying, “These guys are great to work with … They’re not trying to hide anything.”

Mike Anderson, another landowner signed up for the project, said, “I think it’s a good thing.”

Planning Commission Chairwoman Christina Rehfuss suggested a map be prepared and properties labeled as part of the potential solar farm.

“If we can actually drive around and see the properties that are going to be involved, seeing a map and seeing it in person are two different things,” Rehfuss said. We need to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to have a say.”

County officials are also still trying to determine how much additional tax revenue the proposed $300 million investment would mean for county coffers.

Residents at Tuesday’s meeting voiced concerns that acres and acres of solar panels could be seen from neighboring properties, especially homes.

“The project will be visible,” Malnight said. “It will be seen and observed.”

Dulcie Mumpower, a planning commission member, said she did not want to lose her views of farm land from her home.

Gene Copenhaver, a resident of Meadowview, Virginia, said he was concerned about the views by neighbors.

“It’s common sense that those panels are going to affect the value of other people’s property in that area,” Copenhaver said. “We have the most beautiful place in the world right here in Washington County, and why would we want to put solar panels out here in our beautiful landscape that we have?”

Bill Bish, a Wyndale resident, said, “I personally don’t like the looks of a solar farm … They are ugly.”

Supervisor Phil McCall recalled a recent field trip to Wytheville, Virginia, where the Washington County supervisors met a farmer who had leased his land for a solar farm.

“He was not a happy man,’ McCall said. “It started out good,” McCall added. He said that solar project was sold to a foreign investor, who refused to honor lease agreements.

“It just wasn’t sitting pretty,” McCall said.

In response, Malnight said such an example was “By far the exception” in the growing field of solar energy.

More than once, however, Malnight noted the project could be sold at some point.

To proceed, Catalyst Energy must obtain a special exception permit to place solar panels on the agricultural land. The first part of obtaining that permit could come to the planning commission in late June.

Rehfuss warned Malnight that mountain people are used to having outsiders come to the area to seek its resources.

“We have a fear of being sold off to the highest bidder,” she said.

“We’re country people,” Rush added. “We don’t want to make a mistake.”

Catalyst officials are slated to host an open house at John S. Battle High School in Bristol on May 30, 6-9 p.m.