Allen County grapples with regulations to determine viability of solar energy farm
While economic growth and increased energy go hand-in-hand, Allen County’s push for more energy creation may come down to deliberations over regulations concerning the viability of a proposed $200 million solar energy project.
According to the current Allen County zoning ordinance, in unincorporated areas a solar project developer may not install a Commercial Solar Energy (CSE) System within 400 feet of a property line.
For EDP Renewables North America, this setback distance renders development of a solar energy farm more difficult.
“Big setbacks just spread out the project, taking more land out of crop production and limiting potential development,” said Trena Roudebush of EDP Renewables.
Proponents of the project contend that a more reasonable setback is the 300 feet recommended by the state, as Indiana allows for the smallest possible footprint and the fewest number of neighbors impacted, while capturing additional assessed value and tax revenue for the county.
“Letting private landowners use their land for economic growth helps all citizens of the county. And Allen County will benefit as well with millions more in tax revenues,” said Dom Arzon of the Private Property Rights Institute.
A solar energy developer recently faced a similar obstacle in Cherokee, Iowa.
As reported by Newsline Local, the 900-acre Maple River Solar Project, which would be Iowa's fourth-largest solar project, could potentially power 27,000 homes annually and generate significant tax revenue.
However, a proposed zoning ordinance would require a minimum property setback 13 times higher than the national average for solar farms, which would effectively render the project nonviable.
EDP Renewables is urging the Allen County Commission to revise the current ordinance, establishing a setback of 300 feet, in order to ensure that the project is viable and that the community receives the maximum possible benefits.
According to an EDP Renewables factsheet, the Flatrock Creek Solar Park would bring an initial $200 million in capital investment for Allen County, with the potential for that investment to increase further.
Furthermore, the project would generate an estimated $30 million in tax revenue for the local government — including more than $16 million for local schools — during the project's lifetime as well as $40 million for local landowners. That money could in turn be reinvested into the local community. Furthermore, the Flatrock Creek project would create hundreds of construction jobs as well as permanent job opportunities.
In addition to the economic benefits, the 100-mW (Megawatt) project would also promote energy security not just for Indiana, but for the country, through energy diversification.
Diverse and reliable energy resources are becoming increasingly vital in Allen County.
As Greater Fort Wayne Inc. reported, U.S. Census Bureau data revealed that in 2023 Allen County's population growth rate was four times higher than the annual growth rate in the Midwest.
Allen County also surpassed Indiana and the U.S. in terms of annual population growth rate. Furthermore, three of every four new residents of the Northeast Indiana region were in Allen County. Overall, 2023 marked the seventh consecutive year of population growth in Allen County.
The county's continued growth and land development threaten to put a greater strain on the power grid.
According to its 2024 Integrated Resource Plan, following a decade of minimal or negative percent growth, Indiana Michigan Power forecasts that the percent growth in internal energy requirements will increase significantly in 2025-2030.
Furthermore, the IRP states that "the energy shortfall begins immediately in 2025, growing rapidly by 2030 and to nearly tripling by the end of the planning horizon. The energy shortfall is primarily due to [hyperscale business] growth and the going-in assumption that Cook Nuclear operates through its current license period."
Allen County Commissioners Rich Beck, Therese Brown and Nelson Peters wrote in a joint statement that as population growth creates greater potential for job opportunities, economic expansion, and higher per-capita income, "the Board of Commissioners recognizes there are growing pains as well. For this reason, county government will continue to make strategic decisions regarding roadwork, bridgework, and other infrastructure improvements."
Proponents of the project contend that modifying the zoning ordinance to reduce setback requirements presents the board of commissioners with an opportunity to demonstrate that they are in fact committed to enacting policies that will ensure that Allen County has the energy resources to sustain a growing population.
Editor’s note: This article originally stated that Ronald Turpin cowrote the joint statement with Rich Beck and Therese Brown. Nelson Peters was in fact the third commissioner who cowrote the statement. We regret the error.
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