For the past 18 months, the residents of Irwin County, have repeatedly come before the Irwin County

Commissioners to address specific issues regarding a proposed solar ordinance for their county. Multiple requests for the formation of a Solar Ordinance Committee to include input from affected residents has been denied.

Next Era Solar has contracted with several of Irwin County’s largest and most influential landowners to install thousands of solar panels in Irwin County, promising to inject millions of dollars into the local coffers over the next 20 years, and bring jobs to the local area.

Many of the landowners that have contracted with Next Era and the Amber Meadow Solar Project are “absentee landowners”, meaning they don’t live on the land they have optioned. This will negatively impact county residents as these parcels are located in residential areas according to an April 7th , 2023 WALB news report.

One of the many concerns previously expressed in county commission meetings regarding this matter is the zoning of land use for the placement of the solar panels.

The solar companies want to keep the land zoned as agricultural instead of being zoned as industrial. Other relative issues voiced in previous meetings include the negative impacts on adjoining property appraisals, negative environmental impacts, health concerns and the overall negative economic impact on the citizens that live in close proximity to current and future proposed sites. Many residents are especially concerned with the nearness of panel placement to their actual homes. One person stated the panels would be located within 65 feet of their house.

There will be a public hearing of the Irwin County Commision to vote on the Solar Ordinance on August 7, 2023 in the Courtroom of the Irwin County Courthouse at 5:45pm.

If you believe citizens should have a voice in the proposed solar ordinance, your attendance at this meeting is vital. ALL citizens should be at the courthouse for this meeting, whether you live in Irwin or one of the surrounding counties. We encourage everyone to attend as this issue will eventually impact your area as well.

We ask that you wear Irwin County RED as a show of solidarity for the citizens of Irwin County.

Thank you,

Dan Henderson and other Concerned Citizens of Irwin County