TWP. MELROSE, Ill. Kenneth Pettyjohn, a farmer, claims that he was never consulted by any of the decision-makers engaged in a solar panel project close to his farm.
Hours before the Adams County Board is set to vote on the project along Ghost Hollow Road close to 36th Street, however, he had a lot to say to Muddy River News.
He told MRN that was a lot of bullshit. The farmland is good. I don’t see any issues with the solar, if they choose to install it. Find something that doesn’t involve destroying nice farmland, though, if they want to include it.
The Adams County Board rejected a special use permit for the 34-megawatt solar farm south of Quincy, as MRN reported in July. However, the matter will be revisited at the board’s meeting tonight at 7 p.m. in the Courthouse.
The project’s proposer, Pivot Energy, complies with all state regulations. Governor JB Pritzker signed P.A. 102-1123 into law in 2023, preventing local governments from passing ordinances that forbid solar and wind projects.
Brittney Krebsbach of Pivot Energy informed the Board at the time that none of the board members had truly provided a cause for rejection. I understand your points of view, but there isn’t much ground to stand on. Pivot Energy is ultimately a company, and we will safeguard our resources.
One solar farm just outside of Ursa has already received board approval, and two more will each have a separate public hearing.
Pettyjohn is adamant that no farmer in this area wants it. They will advise you to plunge into the river and never return. The narrative is over.
He remembers someone who looked like a surveyor visiting his property, but he claims that neither the government nor the firm ever sought his input. despite the fact that his land is directly adjacent to one of the borders of the proposed solar farm.
According to Pettyjohn, they simply don’t want to hear from the public. I don’t want the land, even though it isn’t mine, because it is destroying farmland. It’s simply stupid.
For ongoing coverage, Muddy River News will be present at the board meeting tonight.
