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Shelby County residents concerned over proposed solar farm

Posted at 5:54 PM, Oct 19, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-21 22:25:40-04

SHELBYVILLE, Ind. – Some Shelby County residents do not want a solar farm planned for Central Indiana to be built near their homes.

The 1,200-acre solar farm project, that will be built on private farm fields, is expected to provide power for 30,000 homes.

Between 775 East and Rangeline Road in Hanover and Union Townships is one of the proposed areas for the farm.

“This is something I never thought I'd see in my lifetime,” Shelby County resident Phil Stout said. “That's the biggest thing I have the farmland is the most important thing for food for this world. To exchange food for energy is terribly wrong.”

Ranger Power, the New York-based company planning the project, said they chose Shelby County because of the available land, regulations that allow this type of development and willing landowners.

“The investment itself will be between $175-200 million, a very significant investment in their tax base,” project manager Peter Engers said.

Those who have concerns on the solar farm project will be able to voice their concerns at a public forum at 6 p.m. on Oct. 29 at the Shelby County Annex.