See the other article in this package: “Local governments decide where, how big, under what conditions solar will be developed. Who advises them?”
Virginia is ready for an energy revolution like never before. Recent advancements allow for the capture and distribution of an abundant, clean, reliable and affordable energy source. The expansion of this homegrown energy will inject billions into rural communities who harness the opportunity. Our natural resources can and should be used to the benefit of our fellow Virginians. This energy will be an important tool to make rural economies competitive for careers that have attracted young people to jobs elsewhere, putting an end to rural exodus. It’s time that we step up to make Virginia an energy independent commonwealth — producing enough energy to cover our demand at minimum. Especially in those communities already host to energy exploration or generation, many are welcoming the next generation of Virginia energy to better power our homes and businesses.
Luckily, this incredible potential is already here — and the source of this energy has a 4 billion-year track record of safety and reliability. Despite widespread public acceptance, a vocal few across Virginia are hindering the market-led development of solar energy. Many folks across the commonwealth have raised concerns about solar development — some of these concerns are legitimate, and some are not rooted in fact. The outlandish concerns that trade on fear earn attention on social media and opinions multiply. Certainly, some media outlets cover solar development honestly and fairly; but outrage sells, and squeaky wheels get the grease. When a few angry constituents petition county supervisors to deny or ban solar proposals, sometimes leaders do what feels expedient in the moment.
Some folks do not have an awareness of the big picture benefits, and instead focus on the acres used for solar projects. Some often wonder “why now” and “why here” when a project is proposed. Some are certainly stuck on the notion that “rural Virginia didn’t ask for this” — but what, specifically, didn’t rural Virginia ask for? Did rural Virginia not ask for investment or new opportunities? Further, rural landowners certainly do ask for solar when they willingly sign long-term leases with solar developers. Virginians want their property rights to be upheld — who would we be to deny a landowner his right to use his property how he sees fit? Farmers are always looking for ways to innovate to turn profit — what’s new here? This is not a bad thing.
Local issues more than any others lend themselves to ideological inconsistencies. Sometimes principles are thrown out the window when it comes to a vote on a local matter. Constitutional conservatives have less of an appreciation for personal property rights than expected — a key tenet of free market capitalism. The all too common “not-in-my-backyard” (NIMBY) concerns are hard to overcome, no matter what type of development is proposed. But these controversies become inflated, quickly. Ask concerned citizens for their thoughts about solar, and people think that their communities will be paved over completely with solar panels. The NIMBY crowd has moved further toward a “not-in-your-backyard, either” mantra. This is happening, and it’s important now more than ever to keep perspective, context, and facts front and center.
Out of Virginia’s 27 million acres, The Nature Conservancy has estimated that 8 million acres may be suitable for solar development, taking into account topography, proximity to transmission lines, and land availability. To hit state goals, Virginia may only need to dedicate 160,000 acres to solar, conservatively. That 160,000 acres represents just 2% of our solar suitable land, and just 0.5% of Virginia’s total land.
Despite the moderate land requirements, some feel resistant to using rural land to power urban and suburban areas. However, there are a lot of things that rural Virginia provides the rest of Virginia. This is how markets function and always have. Overwhelmingly, agriculture and timber products flow to urban areas — and this makes producers proud. It is increasingly difficult to make a living producing crops, cattle or trees, so why fault landowners when they explore solar as a way to keep their operations alive?
Viewed differently, 160,000 acres statewide dedicated to solar is equivalent to one quarter of the land used for soybean production in Virginia. Bear in mind that the vast majority of soybeans are not consumed by rural Virginia, rather, over half of America’s soybeans are exported to China to feed their populations — a fact that doesn’t seem to bother folks when they drive past a field of soybeans. Without passing judgment on soybeans, the farmer is doing what he can to earn a living, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Many communities are home to a solar project that draws criticism, mostly due to inadequate siting practices of the 2010s. Without a doubt, some of these criticisms are deserved. Thankfully, there are ways to mitigate the effects a project may have. Recent proposals incorporate the setbacks and buffers necessary to make solar projects the best neighbors possible. Similarly, projects are now required to maintain the quality and quantity of water that leaves the site post-development. Energy Right routinely shares ordinance recommendations to make sure these become reality in every Virginia locality. Once viewshed, environmental, and economic concerns for a solar proposal are met, who does it help to turn down a project or ban solar altogether?
With a magic wand for a day, I’d aim to move Virginians past the nonsense debates on solar and toward actual solutions that will bring measurable benefits. As we develop more “Made in Virginia” energy to support our independence, let’s do this with more Made in America technology, while calling out localities that ban solar panels made in Ohio. Rural Virginia must realize the opportunity that energy development brings as well as the opportunity cost of denying energy investments. Virginians must internalize that an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy means everything — not just a preferred few energy sources. We can reverse the rural population outflow and create generational opportunity by unleashing Virginia energy and utilizing natural resources to the benefit of our communities. Something must change. But nothing changes if nothing changes.
Skyler Zunk is the CEO and co-founder of Energy Right, a nonprofit providing education to rural Virginia on clean energy from a conservative perspective. He is also the Chair of the Virginia Solar Energy Development and Energy Storage Authority. More information on Energy Right can be found at www.energyrightva.com.