If You Want Solar, You Have to Show Up. The NIMBYs Do.
And That’s How They Win.
The transition to clean energy continues to hit a major roadblock: local “NIMBY” (Not-in-My-Backyard) opponents who pressure their county governments to block potential solar or wind energy farms. Setting lofty goals on reducing carbon may be the focus of national or global action, but those goals often die at the County Courthouse.
And now that may happen in Porter County at a Commissioner meeting on February 27th.
Clean Energy for Porter County
The proposed Malden Solar Project in southern Porter County would generate 200 megawatts of clean energy. Solar is one of the cleanest forms of electricity generation available, producing no air or water pollution. Solar also bring jobs and economic growth to the local area, as well as providing a reliable source of energy.
But Will the County Pull the Plug?
But the project is in jeopardy if County Commissioners don’t approve it – and it looks like they could pull the plug.
It’s unbelievable that Porter County could say “no” to solar energy, especially with Valparaiso University boasting a cutting-edge solar energy research facility and providing training – with Ivy Tech – for solar technicians of tomorrow. But if NIMBYs get their way and Commissioners go along with them, graduates may not find work in Porter County.
Local Opposition Derailing Solar Across the Country
As of March last year, there were 121 local policies restricting new wind and solar projects across 31 states – a 17.5% increase over findings reported in September 2021 (Columbia Law School). Local opposition is increasingly effective at blocking renewable energy projects, and often supporters are seemingly absent. Or maybe they aren’t aware – and that’s where you can come in!
Anti-Solar Activists Sometimes Helped by Commissioners
The tactics NIMBY activists use are consistent across counties and states, use misinformation and lies that they spread on social media, which can spark a passionate opposition who show up in large numbers at local county commission hearings. Often, they even work with politicians opposed to wind and solar to coordinate their opposition for larger effect. You can see that in DeKalb County (not too far from you in Valparaiso), where anti-solar activist Jessica Shull posted a video where she shares her conversation with DeKalb County Commission President Bill Hartman:
“I asked Bill how we stop these solar panels from coming to DeKalb County, and he told me we have to show up in numbers and large numbers and we have to protest it and we have to raise a fuss. He also said, because I asked him how he felt about allowing this type of environment to come to DeKalb County. And he said that he hopes we do show up and we hope he hopes that we do speak up against it…”
Here’s What You Can Do to Support Solar in Porter County
This is the type of opposition solar faces in Porter County. At least one County Commissioner (out of three) is opposed. If just one more commissioner joins her that could spell the end of solar in Porter County.
If you want to see solar proceed you need to speak out too. We can’t let the voice of the opposition drown out everyone else.
Please write an email to your commissioners and let them know how you feel about solar.