Wagoner County Commissioners are expected Monday to take a vote on a nearly 5,000 acre solar farm near Porter that has drawn opposition from some landowners.
The Persica Solar farm proposed by NextEra Energy Resources totals at least 4,650 acres.
Opponents have challenged the site claiming county commissioner have never seen an environmental study of the proposed project. NextEra says the 247.1 megawatt farm is subject to approval from local and state officials and if approved, would become operational by December 2026.
The company has made a presentation to county commissioners and said the $336 million project would result in $31 million in tax revenue for the county.
A vote was originally set for the Feb. 3 meeting of county commissioners but the concerns of county residents prompted a one-week delay in the vote which is scheduled for Monday at 9 a.m.
Some opponents raised the issues of possible noise pollution, and pollution of water as well as the impact on livestock.
One resident, Julian Davis, told KJRH TV News she is against it because, “”Everything from just the enjoyment of our properties with the visuals of a huge solar installation. There is noise pollution that they acknowledged.”
2 News, as KJRH is known, interviewed County Commissioner James Hanning.
“I think all of those things are valid issues. I think there’s going to be a lot to look into to make sure that everybody’s concerns are addressed,” said Hanning. As a result, the vote was delayed.