Solar project interest grows in Gibson County

Gibson County Floodplain Management Coordinator Stephanie McKinney confirmed to Gibson County Commissioners Wednesday that she issued floodplain permits for a solar panel project on Coffee Island area in Wabash Township. McKinney said the project west of Gibson Generating Station would provide electricity for Mount Carmel Public Utility in Mount Carmel, Illinois.

Board of Commissioners President Steve Bottoms said companies are leasing ground on the east side of the county for solar projects as well. Gibson County Solid Waste Management District is considering a solar energy project for the Gibson County Recycle Center, perhaps in 2020, and the new Vuteq training center/warehouse facility south of Toyota has solar panels, as well as other businesses and homes.

The solar power project got the brief mention in Wednesday's board of commissioners session, prior to a longer discussion about a wind turbine project proposed for Gibson/Posey counties.