Flickertail Solar Project Hearing Brings Up Many Concerns On Boundary Lines

WAHPETON, N.D. (KVRR) — The Flickertail Solar Project hearing brought in several dozen people, including landowners and others who would be affected by the project.

“We’re still asking for the site to be designated as it is with the condition that there will not any components of the solar facility within 500 feet of a residence within that boundary,” said Savion Representative.

Majority of the residences from the project lines are 580 feet away. Although the lines from whether it be from the facility or the fence was not clearly clarified.

“So we looked at citing it strategically and ultimately this is the location that was chosen. Landowners are extremely supportive. They believe this was a good opportunity for them. The AG industry can be not as stable,” said Nicholas Schuler, Senior Director of Development and Regional Development Team Lead at Savion.

The project was started in 2018 in Colfax Township. But was moved from the area after concerns were raised by the lack of ordinance.

One landowner called the project “worthless” after the Colfax project didn’t come together. Another said he believes this is the best thing for North Dakota.

“Solar is a very good thing from an environmental standpoint. It’s just the way of a renewable source of energy that we should really be getting into. It is going to be a temporary disruption, obviously to bring three hundred workers to do that,” said Marco Faust, Landowner.

The project would generate more than 295 megawatts of electricity.
North Dakota ranks the lowest out of all the states for the use of solar power, but it has continued to grow.