CLEARWATER, Kan. (KWCH) – A California-based renewable energy company wants to open a solar farm near Clearwater, but the community is hesitant to the idea.

People around the proposed solar farm received a letter inviting them to an informational meeting, where many brought up questions about their concerns.

“I think people that live around the area just have environmental concerns, economic concerns, and is the electricity going to stay in the area or is going to be shipped off somewhere?” questioned George Palmer who lives near the site for the proposed solar farm.

Project still under review

Sedgwick County Commissioner Jeff Blubaugh, who represents the Clearwater area, said the project has not yet been approved.

“No decisions have been made, a lot of people think this is finalized, it is not the case at all,” Blubaugh said. “[It has] to go through planning, and it [has] to be approved by the Sedgwick County Commission.”

Mission Clean Energy, the solar company behind the endeavor said the project will create more than $2 million in tax revenue annually for Sedgwick County, and promises care of the farmland.

Property value concerns

Most attendees at a meeting to learn more about the proposed project expressed concerns that the project could lead to lower property values.

Acknowledging concerns and waiting for further information on the proposed solar project, Sedgwick County indicated that a decision on whether to move forward might not be made until after the New Year.

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