NextEra Energy Resources is disputing some of the claims made by opponents against the firm’s proposed 4,900-acre Persica Solar farm near Porter in Oklahoma’s Wagoner County.
The group called Concerned Citizens of Wagoner County issued a more than 30-page report it described as a “detailed rebuttal” to claims made by NextEra Energy about the solar farm, but NextEra issued its rebuttal to the rebuttal.
NextEra especially decried the Wagoner County opponents’ claim that the company would not be good for the county, proclaiming Persica Solar is a “good neighbor” to Wagoner County.
“NextEra Energy Resources is committed to sustainable development and regulatory compliance, ensuring our projects move forward responsibly while protecting environmental resources via an extensive environmental due diligence process,” it stated in a claim initially made in the company’s first report to Wagoner County Commissioners who intend to vote Monday whether to allow the farm to proceed.
The energy company pointed out it conducted detailed field surveys using “highly experienced consultants who are industry leaders in their respective fields.” The firms, according to NextEra, “employ scientists and subject matter experts who use state and federal agency-approved methodologies.”
The company further said solar facilities are allowed under conditional use in areas zoned agricultural, per the Wagoner Metropolitan Area Planning Commission Zoning Code. It took issue with one of the claims by opponents that the company was attempting to “deceive the public” about land remaining in ag use.
“Solar facilities are a good fit in ag-zoned lands because the development has low impacts on the land and allows for the land to remain in ag use for the foreseeable future by temporarily preserving the land and its potential productivity for future farming, as explicitly listed as a criterion in the Zoning Code,” stated the NextEra report made available to county commissioners.
The company maintained solar development “requires little to no public services” and that only a small percentage of the project actually impacts the land itself.
“Furthermore, solar development does not have an impact on surrounding, non-participating landowners who wish to continue their farming or other ag-related practices.”
The company had more replies to the criticism of its Wagoner County opponents, saying the Persica Solar farm will “enhance the availability of reliable, cost-effective energy which supports future economic development and growth in Wagoner County and Northeast Oklahoma.”
NextEra also contends by injecting the solar energy directly into the grid at the Clarksville substation near Porter, owned by Public Service Company of Oklahoma, the project strengthens the regional power infrastructure and “helps meet the increasing energy demands of new businesses and industries.”
“This homegrown energy source not only contributes to American energy independence, but also provides a stable, affordable power supply that can attract investment and fuel long-term prosperity across the region.”
While NextEra refuted the contentions of its solar-farm opponents, it also announced Thursday that as one of the largest infrastructure investors in the nation, NextEra Energy Resources said its renewable power plants in Oklahoma have now generated approximately $100 million in tax revenue for communities throughout the state over the last decade.
The company explained the revenue is often used to fund essential services like roads, police, fire and schools. Minco School District Superintendent Kevin Sims said tax payments from NextEra Energy Resources have enabled the district to fund brand new facilities for its students.
“We would not have what we have here in Minco as a school district without NextEra investments. These investments are so critical to what we’re trying to do in education and what we’re trying to do as communities with growth and building.”
He said at the same time, the district is less reliant on funding from the state, allowing those funds to flow to other school districts.
In supporting the proposed solar farm in Wagoner County, NextEra said Oklahomans have 100 million reasons to support renewable energy in the Sooner State.
Copy link below and paste to view NextEra’s report to Wagoner County Commissioners.
file:///C:/Users/Jerry/OneDrive/Pictures/Persica%20Energy%20Center_Wagoner%20CUP%20QandA.2025.04.01.pdf
