Mayor Linda Gorton: Utility boss distorts facts, shows ‘stunning’ lack of understanding | Opinion
The recent commentary by Tony Campbell regarding East Kentucky Power’s proposed solar project in Fayette County shows, at best, a stunning lack of understanding of the complexities of the economics and operations of a mid-size city like Lexington, and at worst, an intentional effort to mislead Lexingtonians as to his company’s actual proposal.
I am taking a stand on behalf of all Lexingtonians to prioritize the aspects of our city that make us great, and make progress in responsible ways. We have had to appeal to the courts because Mr. Campbell, CEO of East Kentucky Power Cooperative, and his company have not shown a willingness to hear from us, or to listen to the public.
His statement that Lexington’s adopted sustainability plan, “Empower Lexington,” is contradictory (“hypocrisy” in his words) to the city’s opposition to a single solar project demonstrates Mr. Campbell’s tunnel vision. He apparently wants to put solar where he wants it, at all costs. He misleads the public in regard to the tradeoff of significant farmland for insignificant benefit for Fayette County.
Our merged Lexington-Fayette County with a population of 322,000 people is both a dense, urban area, and an agricultural hub. In that way, it is unique across the nation. In leading this community, I have a laser focus on bringing jobs, improving quality of life, and providing essential services to all Lexingtonians.
We have had considerable success. Recently, the Cleveland Federal Reserve Region named Lexington-Fayette as having the highest rate of economic growth (5.5%) in its region … greater than Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus or Cincinnati. Currently, Lexington has its highest number of people employed (174,328) in its entire history.
Given that our successes here are driven in large part by our jobs, businesses, the land, and our people, there are reasons that approval of just any solar project is not necessarily the right decision.
Our rural, agricultural area contributes $2.3 billion to Lexington’s economy annually. Taking 387 acres of prime, irreplaceable farmland out of production to build a solar farm that may bring only one new job to Fayette County, and produce electricity for only 4,560 homes, is not a good justification. The record in the case before the Public Service Commission fails to even establish a need for this $102 million project, or to show how it benefits Lexington.
Lexington’s current efforts to study whether our Haley Pike Landfill could support a solar project DO make sense. Why would we want to trade prime farmland for a solar facility that adds nothing to our economy, when we have the opportunity to explore a possible solar farm on our landfill, land that is already out of production?
We do want solar energy here, Mr. Campbell. In every budget I fund solar projects on our government buildings (fire stations, our new Senior/Therapeutic Center, etc).
Mr. Campbell, I realize you have a goal to produce solar energy, and I am also a proponent of renewable energy, but please don’t make assumptions about my views based on your single focus of putting solar where you think it’s best. Here in Lexington-Fayette County, our people respect the land, and the people who farm it. Meanwhile, we keep a constant focus on economic development that actually benefits our community.
Mr. Campbell, we all understand the necessity of power plants. That does not mean that Lexingtonians should not now have a voice just because you don’t want to hear it. Your company had the opportunity to engage the public before all the decisions were made on this solar farm, rather than after the fact. In Lexington, we listen to our residents.
Linda Gorton is the Mayor of Lexington.