The Knox County Commissioners approved two solar economic development agreements at last night’s session. The agreements were for the Edwardsport Solar Park project, and for the Unser Solar project in the vicinity of North Knox High School. The Edwardsport Solar plant was approved 3-0; the Unser solar agreement was 2-0, with Commissioner Kellie Streeter abstaining, due to conflicts.
The agreement includes a 300 to 500-foot foot setback for the plants from adjoining properties; required Emergency Management Agency training; designated construction hours for workers; and improved roads during the construction period. The economic development agreements were similar for both projects.
Following the vote, several people from the affected North Knox areas spoke– almost completely against the agreements. The public comments pointed to safety concerns– especially for North Knox-area students, along with problems with aesthetics, quality of life, and what one person called a “solar blight.”
If the final approval comes through, both of those projects would start sometime around 2030 into the early 2030’s.
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