Venango Twp. residents voice concerns following new application for proposed solar farm

In January, Venango Township supervisors voted unanimously to reject an application from Wilson Solar to put over 900 acres of solar panels in the township, but that wasn't the end of the proposal.

Just a month later in February, Wilson Solar appealed the township's decision and submitted a new conditional use application.

Decision on Venango Twp. solar farm proposal delayed to 2024

"The supervisors have been talking to the solar company, so now we're confused. You voted no, it's in the courts, wait to see what the courts say, but now they're talking to the solar company. So, we're just all confused and just kind of want to know what's going on," said Lou Norman, a Wattsburg resident.

The new application reduced the amount of land the solar farm would use to 336 acres but still plans to put over 300,000 individual solar panels across multiple roads in Venango Township.

Venango Township supervisors met Monday to discuss the new application with the public. About 50 residents showed up to voice their concerns about the project.

This is one of the many acres of land that Wilson Solar wants to fill with solar panels, and some residents say those panels won't benefit them in any way.

Venango Township supervisors reject solar farm proposal

"We wondered if we were going to get any benefit. Are citizens going to get any benefit in electric costs? Any benefit in taxes? What are we going to get out of it? And no one came back and said you were going to get anything out of it," said Norman.

Residents JET 24/FOX 66 spoke with said they also have questions about their property values and potential fire hazards.

Questions JET 24/FOX66 reporter Tyler Gallagher tried to ask, but the township supervisors, the township solicitor and the attorney representing Wilson Solar all declined to comment.

The Venango Township supervisors will meet again on October 15 to talk about potential amendments to their solar energy ordinance.