We are a group of Fayette County residents within Georges Township, Pennsylvania who are deeply concerned about the proposed Industrial Solar Facility that threatens our small, residential and peaceful community.

To those of you who are not aware, Fayette County Board of Zoning, Planning, and Development will meet on August 28th promptly at 10:00 AM at the Fayette County Board of Zoning, Planning, and Development Building (2 West Main St.) to discuss whether to grant a Special Exception to allow the erection of an 88-acre Industrial Solar Facility in our small, residential community.

This Industrial Solar Facility (Susquehanna Solar, LLC) will be located essentially across the street from the Albert Gallatin Area Senior High. Additionally, Adelphoi Education and Duck Hollow Preschool at Albert Gallatin are in very close proximity.

The proposed plan will erect 8-foot-high barbed wire fences surrounding the natural scenic views of this area. 

The tranquility we once enjoyed is being replaced by industrial machinery and infrastructure. Imagine our children growing up in the shadow of a solar farm instead of enjoying the natural beauty we have cherished for generations. 

We believe that this project will not only disrupt our lives, but also harm local wildlife, decrease property values, and compromise the health, wellness, and safety of our schools and small community.

It is our understanding that this project will not create lasting jobs, and it will not provide so-called "green" energy to our community. These solar facilities are often abandoned by the LLC, and communities are left with decommissioning costs. This will likely increase local taxes. 

Property values are at-risk. Studies have shown that proximity to solar farms within a three (3) mile radius can decrease property values significantly. This means less financial security for families who have invested their life savings into their homes. Furthermore, the disruption of natural scenic views, glare from the panels, and health concerns associated with solar facilities can deter potential buyers and diminish the economic value of properties in our community.

Storm-water runoff damage is another significant concern. Increased impervious surfaces associated with solar farm facilities can lead to greater runoff, which may result in soil erosion, sedimentation of water bodies, and contamination of local water sources. This poses risks to both human health and the environment. The Georges Township Supervisors are unanimous and in complete opposition to the proposed Solar Facility. They have voiced very specific concerns related to storm-water runoff damage. 

In our region, snow drifts are a possible occurrence during the winter months. As noted above, the proposed plan will erect 8-foot-high barbed wire fences. These structures, along with the solar panels, can exacerbate snow accumulation and create hazards for roadways, pathways, and structures. This could impede emergency response efforts and pose safety risks to the residents, the educators, and the students of our area. 

Furthermore, statistics on solar panel fires raise alarms about the safety of such installations. In the event of a fire, the close proximity of these solar farms to residential areas and educational institutions could significantly jeopardize evacuation efforts and put lives at risk with toxic fumes in the air. There are currently 1,150 students enrolled within the Albert Gallatin Senior High School alone. We have questions concerning how students will be quickly and safely evacuated and transported away from the toxic fumes in the event of a solar panel fire. 

Auditory sensitivity to humming generated by solar farms is a valid concern. Prolonged exposure to such noise pollution can have adverse effects on mental health, sleep quality, and overall well-being. This is especially true for individuals with Autism who have auditory systems that process sounds differently than neurotypical individuals. This difference can lead to an increased sensitivity to sounds and difficulty filtering out background noise. 

Health concerns extend beyond noise pollution. There are legitimate worries about hazardous materials leaking into the soil from storm-damaged solar panels, posing risks of contamination to groundwater and residential land. These hazardous materials likely include Cadmium, Chromium, Lead, Silver, Copper, and Arsenic. The potential long-term health effects of exposure to such hazardous materials are unknown and warrant serious consideration.

We fully expect the Fayette County Board of Planning, Zoning, and Community Development to represent the will of the community and to reject the proposed Industrial Solar Facility.   

The greed of a few should not prevail over the preservation of our rural way of life, our values, and our health, wellness, and safety.

We urge you to voice your opposition in light of these serious concerns. Please join us in saying absolutely NO to the proposed Industrial Solar Facility in residential Georges Township, Fayette County, Uniontown, PA! 

SIGN THIS PETITION TODAY!

**We are additionally seeking Letters of Opposition from individuals who have Expertise in areas of Fire Safety, Emergency Response, Local Education, Special Education, Water Management, Mining, Children/Individuals with Disabilities, Medical Experts, Real Estate Agents, Appraisers, Environmental Protection, Wildlife Preservation, Local Farmers, or any other applicable area of Expertise that are opposed to industrial solar. We also welcome letters of concern from parents of children with disabilities who are worried about auditory disturbances. 

Please e-mail your letters of opposition ASAP to: NoSolarFarmGeorgesTownship@yahoo.com