Ahead of the final vote the Kentucky Public Service Commission held a formal hearing and allowed members from Barren County to speak as well as ask questions of the Geenex representatives. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1
By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Heading towards a final vote, the Electric Generation and Transmission Siting Board hosted a formal hearing wherein some Barren County residents voiced their opposition to the roughly 2,300 acres solar project.
The Wood Duck Solar project is the thing that propelled at least five Barren County residents to drive the approximately 2 hours to Frankfort, Kentucky, to the Public Service Commission’s office on Oct. 2. Geenex, the early development company that owns Wood Duck Solar, is seeking the approval of its application of construction.
Wood Duck Solar is a planned solar farm in western Barren County involving 15 landowners and 2,259 acres of land along Waller, New Bowling Green, Oak Grove, Millstown, Apple Grove, Park City Bon Ayr, Disman, Mayhew, R. Crump and Dripping Springs roads on the north and south sides of the Cumberland Parkway.
Seven people in total spoke with two in favor and five in opposition. Each commenter was given around seven minutes to speak, according to Angie Hatton, who presided over the meeting as its chair.
Carol Burkes, who gave a Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, address, was one of two audience members who spoke in favor of the development.
“After reviewing scientific research and documents it became apparent that solar farms do not pose a health risk to man,” Burkes said.
He spoke about the energy efficiency of solar, the ever increasing demand for energy, the improbability of the Cadmium Telluride — a component in solar panels — leeching into the soil and the non-hazardous nature of solar panels. The United States Environmental Protection Agency said solar panels could either be hazardous or non-hazardous waste depending on the substance and quantity present.
Freddie Wilkerson of Glasgow spoke in opposition, saying that, though he wasn’t affected by the project, he was speaking for those who could not. He spoke briefly about his concerns with the project, such as the possibility of fires and the lack of adequate infrastructure — especially in terms of water lines.
“I do not believe the government should tell a man or woman what to do with [their] land as long as it’s legal, ethical and moral, I believe that with my heart,” Wilkerson said. “I fully understand why folks would consider this project.… I have talked to folks and observed the process [and] I’m not convinced that the process has fully allowed the citizens to understand what’s going on or the impact…. Whatever the outcome of this project is I ask you to address where the miscommunication may have been.”
“We are looking for someone to be held accountable,” he added. “We’re asking for changes to be made to the process so it’s done fairly for everybody.”
Sheri Mahan with the Public Service Commission said the meeting was “the last opportunity for the company and the public to present their case.”
The deadline for members of the Electric Generation and Transmission Siting Board to make a decision in the case is Nov. 14. Until then public comments will be accepted electronically on the Public Service Commission’s website.
If the application for construction is approved, the earliest construction can begin is in early 2026 and will take between 12-18 months, a Geenex representative said during the meeting.
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