“This is a transformational, yet compatible” project for Pulaski County with local and statewide support, said Christopher Shelmon with Gutwein Law in Lafayette, an attorney for the project, at the opening of the meeting. Shelmon's area of focus with the law firm is real estate, utility and business law.

The clean energy project, to be known as Mammoth Solar, will produce one gigawatt (1,000 megawatts) of electricity and involve an estimated investment “in the $1 billion range,” Nathan Origer of the Pulaski County Community Development Commission reported earlier this month. The company behind the project is Global Energy Generation LLC (GEG), which has offices in Chicago, Philadelphia and Tel Aviv.

The project will include acreage in both Pulaski and Starke counties. Company officials have said the land in Pulaski County may total as much as 4,500 acres. (Pulaski County has 216,503 acres in farm ground, according to the 2012 Census of Agriculture.)

GEG president and CEO Nick Cohen told those present that solar projects in the U.S. are moving into the northern states. He explained Pulaski County is a “special” location because it has two electric grid systems that come together locally. The properties along those grids “are highly desirable,” he said.

Cohen added that Pulaski County in the last year has made the commitment to design a zoning ordinance to accomodate solar “farms.” “Pulaski County has a competitive edge” for this reason, he said. “Our team knows how to get projects done. That’s why we’re here.”

If the project is green-lighted by the BZA, there remains a “laundry list” of state and federal requirements with which to comply, Cohen continued, as well as the conditions to be met with the county’s plan commission and building department.

Information on the economic impact of the project remains under study by the county’s financial advisors and will be taken into consideration during the next step of the process, if the special exception to the zoning ordinance is approved. The number of landowners approached to lease land for the project has not yet been announced as preliminary contracts are being finalized. Expectations are that the solar project will generate additional tax and other revenue for the county. "Reality checks" offered by Origer and some of the speakers during public comment reminded all present that the county sorely needs sources of new revenue to meet present needs and prevent future tax hikes.

The county commissioners have no jurisdiction regarding approval of the solar energy project.  This falls under the control of the county plan commission, headed by Doug Hoover. The county zoning plan makes provision for solar energy enterprises.No firm timeline has been given as to how soon the project can be built and become operational. Pulaski County building inspector and zoning plan administrator Doug Hoover said in an interview earlier this month project completion could be three years away, as GEG moves through the preliminary steps of environmental studies, meeting local government requirements and other regulatory steps and developing the engineering design plan.

The project will be located across a patchwork of large parcels generally located in two swaths of rural Pulaski County. The solar panel acreage will roughly follow the large electric transmission lines that cross the county, beginning along SR 39 in Beaver Township and running slightly northeast through Jefferson and Rich Grove townships, also including portions of Monroe and Franklin townships, and then into Starke County.

Unlike the windmill electric project which the county rejected a couple of years ago - proposed to be built on some of the county’s prime agriculture ground - the solar project will largely cross the county’s sandy, less productive soils. Jefferson and Beaver are also the county’s least populated townships. Hoover reports the electrical panels will not be much taller than a mature cornfield.

Early on, the project will provide local construction jobs. Later there will be operational and maintenance jobs, among employment opportunities.

Cohen also told those gathered at Monday’s over three-hour meeting that the solar project is a passive, safe and environmentally friendly venture. It will not hurt or affect nearby crops or livestock. If in the future the solar farm is no longer operational, the solar panels can be removed and the land returned to agriculture use, he explained.

Public Comment

Over two dozen of those in attendance at the meeting spoke during a lengthy public comment session – both against and in favor of the solar project.

Those opposed to the solar panels complained of a lack county transparency and timely notice of the project. They shared environmental concerns, aesthetics issues, possible fire hazards, loss of productive farm ground, and additional matters.

Those speaking in favor of the project noted the opportunities to become involved in “green energy." Many were farmers, including younger generation farmers, who said the solar project will place them in a better financial position to move their multi-generational heritage forward.

Dean Cervenka, now of Montana, asked the BZA members not to rush into a decision. “Only a few stand to benefit – and substantially,” he said. “Once converted to commercial use (the land) will never return to ag production, in my opinion.” He also expressed his belief that solar farms are not economically profitable, that Indiana is one of the worst states for placement of solar panels, and solar is more expensive than any form of energy.

Doug Podell of Beaver Township spoke in support of the solar project, saying “change can be a positive thing.” Podell, who grew up on a farm, added “our county has been given an opportunity to raise a new commodity – electric.” He noted the property will remain with current landowners. “Our farm ground is important to our family. Solar is just a different crop.” He thanked the county for putting itself in a position to take advantage of such an opportunity.

Jennifer Knebel of Winamac said 220 county families were surprised and caught off guard with the announcement of the proposed solar project. (At the end of the meeting, a member of the zoning appeals board noted that the project had been discussed at its previous meetings, but no one from the public was in attendance.) But during her comments, Knebel pointed out that minutes from those and other county board meetings have not been made available to the public for months. She wondered aloud if that was intentional. She urged the board to “think of all county residents” in reaching its decision.

Dave Busch of Francesville noted that schools, county government and other services in the county are hurting from a lack of sufficient revenue. “The solar project will generate revenue,” he pointed out. “Energy sources are changing, and need to change to protect the environment. Why not Pulaski County? Time is of the essence, and we need to move forward.”