Sunrise Energy LLC in 2019 contracted with the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County to purchase renewable energy produced at a 12-acre industrial solar farm in Hunker, now owned by SolRiver LLC of Denver, Colo. Hempfield Township seemed mostly concerned with stormwater runoff, and thus issued a special use permit for this facility, a process repeated for the turnpike solar farm.

Was there a bond put up for decommissioning? Will there be groundwater testing to monitor whether the solar panels’ hazardous chemicals and metals are leaching into the soil and groundwater? Was there any review for the high-pitched noise expected from the power inverters? Was there a local net economic impact analysis with opportunity cost performed?

Hempfield received over $1 million in funding from the oil and gas industry in the previous 10 years; how much will Hempfield receive from renewables?

The answers to these questions are likely none, no, no, no and zero.

Hempfield planning director Patrick Karnash wants to change the permit fee structure to attract more solar installations, yet comprehensive zoning ordinances for this are lacking. Commercial renewable installations need the same zoning scrutiny as a landfill, strip mine or power plant.

James Falcsik

Hempfield

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