The Greene County Commission voted to approve the amended regulations to Solar Energy Systems in the county, which states commercial businesses/utility-scale solar farms would only be allowed on brown fields, such as a landfill, that are zoned as M-2 High Impact Use.
The High Impact Use district was created for uses with the potential to negatively impact the air, traffic, noise, odor, safety, or vistas in the community. The revisions in theory will make it difficult for someone to purchase and utilize the property for the purpose of having a solar energy system.
Some commissioners like Tim White and Chase Murray were undecided on approving the resolution to only allow solar energy systems on an M-2 property. Some might have even changed their minds after hearing from President and CEO of Greeneville Energy Authority Chuck Bowlin.
Bowlin spoke during a public hearing in reference to the resolution and reminded the commissioners that if they voted yes to the amended regulations, that would mean Greeneville Energy Authority could not move forward with the 4th solar site that was put on hold during the moratorium.
The GEA has been saving a significant amount of funds since getting their power from Silicon Ranch, a Solar Company, instead of the Tennessee Valley Authority. According to Bowlin, there would have been around a $2M impact on the next 30 years. But with this approval of the revisions those savings for GEA and their customers will no longer be possible.
Commissioners voted 12 yes and 8 no for the resolution. Those voting for the approval were Kathy Crawford, Jason Cobble, Jan Kiker, Tim Smithson, Bill Dabbs, Lyle Parton, Pamela Carpenter, Hoot Bowers, Gary Shelton, Jeffrey Bible, Lisa Anderson, and Teddy Lawing. Voting against the amended revisions were Nick Gunter, Tim White, Chase Murray, Joshua Arrowood, Brad Peters, Larkin Clemmer, Paul Burkey, and John Waddle. Commissioner Robin Quillen was absent.
For details on the new regulations click here, refer to pages 128-142.
The commission also approved a resolution, 17 yes and three no, to amend the Greene County Zoning Resolution Site Plan requirements within an unincorporated territory .
Furthermore, revisions were approved for Wind Energy Facilities, and Data Centers and Cryptocurrency Mining regulations within the unincorporated territory of Greene County. More information can be found in a previous article: https://wgrv.com/2024/02/13/revisions-made-to-regulations-for-wind-energy-systems-and-mining-centers/.
For details on the new regulations click here, refer to pages 143-151.
