(North Liberty, IN) - Tempers flared at a solar energy meeting in North Liberty on Thursday night.
For several years, Hexagon Energy has been quietly laying the groundwork for a 2,500-acre solar installation just across the road from Potato Creek State Park.
A grassroots group called Rethink Industrial Solar hosted the meeting at the North Liberty American Legion, where there was an overflow crowd. For many present, it was their first opportunity to discuss the topic.
Steve Holifield of La Porte County not only was in attendance but said he had to intervene when the crowd got a little rowdy. “I understand it gets emotional, Holifield told HTNN. “The crowd kind of went ballistic, so to speak, which sometimes they do.” That’s when someone handed him the microphone to get the meeting back on track. “As I’ve always spoke out before at county meetings,” he said, “we all need to remain polite and courteous to each other, and that’s why I tried to calm things down a little bit.”
Most in attendance, Holified said, were dead-set against the development and surprised to only recently learn about it.
Hexagon’s Senior Director of Development Scott Remer attended the meeting and received the brunt of the negativity. Moments prior to the meeting, he spoke exclusively with HTNN about the so-called element of surprise. “You can look; the public record shows that our lease agreements are recorded,” he said. “That’s not something secret, it’s not under a secret name. It’s under Dumont Solar LLC.”
Remer said he is surprised that people are surprised by the plans. “It’s certainly not what I want our company to be seen as,” he said, “as somebody who does things in a shady way. That’s not our desire at all."
Remer suggested that misinformation about solar arrays often fuels opposition. He emphasized that the panels are non-toxic and that the installations promote wildlife and vegetation as well as soil conservation.
Remer told HTNN that Hexagon, which is based in Virginia, chose St. Joseph County because of favorable regulations and permitting requirements as well as proximity to a large electric substation. The Dumont substation just south of Potato Creek, he said, is one of the largest in the country. Hexagon is also working on two other projects in the Hoosier state.
According to Remer, over 25 landowners have already signed on to the Hexagon project. Between 2,000 and 2,500 acres are being planned. Remer claims the project will generate at least $50 million in tax revenue for the county on top of the extra income for landowners. He said it's in the mid-stage of development, probably at least a couple of years from being built out.
Holifield has been keeping a close eye on the proliferation of solar projects. He says solar proposals have cropped up in over 30 counties across Indiana. “This is a big topic,” he said. “My opinion is they are looking at places that have very poor ordinances and governments that can be swayed one way or another. They’re offering big dollar signs, and so far we’re not sure those dollar signs are even available.”
The next public meeting to discuss the project will be June 18th at the County-City building in South Bend.
