An estimated 250 to 300 people showed up at the Grant County Area Plan Commission’s regularly scheduled meeting Monday to make their voices heard about solar, a topic that was not on the agenda.
With a capacity of 75 people, an estimated 130 people squeezed into the county council chambers while more filled the lobby of the county complex or stood outside looking through the windows of the chambers.
After getting through most of the agenda items, the APC had a time for public comment. The APC allotted around 30 minutes for citizens against solar to share their views.
Concerned citizens listed a variety of issues they have with the idea of farmland being leased to companies for solar farms. Issues included claims that the United Nations is part of a plan to use all the solar energy to power a 15-minute city near Fort Wayne, questions about why one person’s concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) was denied while solar was not, and concerns about viable farmland being occupied by solar panels instead of food production.
The crowd often cheered and applauded as those against solar spoke. At times, tensions ran high with raised voices and accusatory language as people, many of whom were multi-generational farmers, fought for the land they were passionate about.
The main targets of the accusations were Grant County Commissioners Mark Bardsley and Steve Wright. Wright is also on the APC and was in attendance of the meeting. Many viewed the commissioners’ decision to pass draft four of the ordinance instead of draft seven unfavorably.
Draft seven would have required a 1320-foot setback for solar farms, which is approximately a quarter mile. Draft four, which the commissioners passed instead of the APC’s recommended draft seven, requires a 300-foot setback, which is the length of a football field.
After those against solar had the chance to speak, the APC gave those in favor a chance to speak, too.
Some who spoke in favor were those who had agreed to let their land be used for solar farms, some spoke of the environmental benefits of renewable energy and the tax revenue that solar farms would generate, which could be used to improve things like local schools.
During this time, the APC called for those against solar to refrain from talking over and disrupting those speaking in favor of it.
“When they say nobody wants this, that’s not the truth,” Wright told the Chronicle-Tribune over the phone. “The truth is, we take a look at the plat maps, that’s how many people want it. They just don’t want to come out to a meeting like that and face that group.”
According to Wright, the plat maps show which lots want to be a part of the solar farms in Grant County.
While many of the arguments for and against solar were the same as or similar to those made back when the Grant County solar ordinance was originally under discussion and passed in 2022, it was somewhat unclear what prompted such a large crowd to show up at the meeting. Solar was not on the agenda, and no new steps or official action had been taken that could act as a catalyst.
One of the sources of the crowd seems to be the Facebook group “Grant County Citizens for Responsible Solar.”
The public group, which had 371 members as of the time of publication, shares a variety of things, including content from sources such as “The Epoch Times,” a well-known far-right publication, shares plat maps for townships in Grant County, accuses Wright and Bardsley of being corrupt and encourages members to attend public meetings to make their voices heard.
The group has also had floats in local parades to spread their message.
At the end of the day, Wright said the issue of solar is about land rights.
“I mean, to me, this is nothing more than capitalism,” Wright said. “Seriously, it’s one of those things where what gives me the right to write an ordinance to tell people that they can’t make more money with their land?”
Wright said he understands where those against solar are coming from and respects them and the work they do.
“They’re red-blooded American people who want the best for their community,” Wright said. “I truly believe that they’re good people. Farmers are great people. But this has actually divided our farming nation and our landowner nation like nobody, I mean, this has been really, really tough.”
Some of those who spoke out against solar said they believed the solar ordinance was not legal due to a lack of a public hearing. Board of Zoning Appeals president Ed Hartman said the BZA also believed it was illegal and had looked into pursuing litigation against the county commissioners but ultimately were told that they likely would not win a lawsuit because they were not personally impacted by the ordinance. Hartman said a group of people who are personally impacted would have the best chance at winning in court.
Wright said the commissioners and their legal counsel are confident that they followed all required steps to legally pass the ordinance.
One resident called for action from the commissioners and APC.
“When’s the next meeting we can come to where we get some answers?” The resident asked. “Because you’ve heard from a lot of people and we can probably find some more. ...How many more meetings does this many people need to come to before we get movement?”
Wright told him that he would like to have a meeting to work through the issue after the holidays at the end of January or beginning of February.
The APC is meeting again on Dec. 18, as are the county commissioners. A recording of the Dec. 4 APC meeting as well as other county government meetings is available on the Grant County Government YouTube channel.
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