384-acre solar farm approved in eastern Fayette County despite some opposition
A 380-plus-acre solar farm in Eastern Fayette County is coming to fruition after all.
Despite opposition from local figures like Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton, the Kentucky Public Service Commission granted approval to East Kentucky Power Cooperative’s plan to build a 40-megawatt facility on two parcels between Interstate 64 and U.S. 60, near the Clark County line.
In the same order, the commission also approved the power cooperative’s plan to build a larger, 635-acre, 96-megawatt facility in Marion County, according to a press release from the commission. Utility officials estimated the cost of developing both solar farms is $335.4 million.
“The PSC has found that these projects meet the statutory criteria, as set by the Kentucky General Assembly, that the facilities are necessary to ensure reasonable rates and services for Kentucky electric customers and will not result in wasteful duplication of services,” the release read.
The Fayette County project ignited intense debate over the use of agricultural land, a longtime hot topic in local Lexington politics.
In a public hearing in late October, Gorton characterized the plans from East Kentucky Power Cooperative as a “new threat” to Fayette County’s “irreplaceable farmland” in a statement delivered to the commission earlier this year.
Gorton also said Friday the city is considering appealing the commission’s order.
“While we support sustainable energy projects, like solar, this plan does not benefit the people of Fayette County. We can find ways to develop solar projects that do not sacrifice our irreplaceable farmland,” Gorton said.
Opposition was not unanimous, however, as some community members at the hearing voiced excitement at Fayette County’s involvement in the green energy transition via this project.
The Fayette County solar farm is estimated to provide power for around 4,558 homes, according to East Kentucky Power Cooperative. The cooperative is owned by 16 smaller nonprofit utility co-ops around the commonwealth. It provides power to more than 1.1 million people and in 2023 it generated more than $1.1 billion in revenue, according to its latest nonprofit filing.
The commission’s approval marks the end of the project’s regulatory process. Electric utilities like East Kentucky Power Cooperative are not subject to local planning and zoning for generation projects like this one.
The land for the site is owned by Fayette Partners LLC, a company controlled by members of the Gay family — that includes Anne Gay Donworth, a representative-elect who will replace retiring Rep. Ruthann Palumbo, D-Lexington, in the new year.
This story was originally published December 26, 2024 at 5:46 PM.
