DAMASCUS, PA — An engaged group turned out to hear more about Damascus Township’s proposed zoning amendment regarding alternative energy systems.

The April 22 public hearing was not specific to the proposed solar farm before the planning board or any specific energy project. “It is meant to streamline the process,” the supervisors said.
Township supervisors responded to residents’ questions and concerns:

Fencing

Q. Why are eight-foot fences required around alternative energy projects?

A. Fencing is required for all commercial proposals.

Impervious surfaces

Q. Solar farms do not create impervious surfaces, and ponds are not impervious surfaces. Are we adding “pond” and “stream” to “impervious surface” for any development? Is a swamp or wetland considered an “impervious surface”?

A. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) definition: “Impervious surfaces are materials that do not allow the penetration of water, such as buildings, roads, and parking lots. Why are impervious areas important? Impervious surfaces prevent rainwater from entering the soil.”

Consultants

Q. Did the township receive any outside assistance in crafting the amendment?

A. No, but “case law was reviewed.”

Toxic solar panels?

Q. An article linked on the Damascus Township website suggests solar panels “lock toxic materials into the ground.” How is this relevant to Damascus Township? (Not everyone was aware this article was linked on the township website.)

A. It is an opinion piece dated June 1, 2023, by Alex Epstein, the founder of the Center for Industrial Progress, a privately funded think tank that has received funding from the conservative Prometheus Foundation and the Kentucky Coal Association. Epstein has been described as a climate skeptic and promotes the oil and gas industries. They describe their mission as to “inspire Americans to embrace industrial progress as a cultural ideal.”

The township correctly identified the linked article as being an opinion piece and an outside link.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality did testing that found no toxic materials in the ground studied at solar energy sites, and that flowers grow and sheep graze near and under solar panels.

Run-off

Q. Will these projects cause overflow to local creeks or other unwanted water running into streams?

A. Run-off plans are already a requirement.

Noise

Q. We hear that 50 to 80 decibels is typical for solar farm projects because fans make noise.

A. 60 decibels will not be heard if the sound is emitted from the needed distance from the road.

Environmental impact studies

Q. Why are environmental impact studies not a requirement for other projects?

A. This has been a requirement for many years for these types of projects.

Setbacks

Q. What is the setback requirement?

A. The setback requirement is generally the height of the structure. For example, in the case of a cell phone tower, the 200-foot-tower should be 200 feet from the public road. This applies to a solar project installation as it does for any other structure. To quote from the proposed amendment: “The required setbacks are measured from the property line, public road right-of-way, or residential building to the nearest part of the system. No part of the ground-mounted system shall extend into the required setbacks due to a tracking system or other adjustment of solar PV-related equipment or parts. Required fencing and/or vegetative screening shall not be considered as part of the system for the purpose of setbacks. “

On the roadway, the yellow line is not required. The driveway road should simply be wide enough for two vehicles. Emergency vehicles may need to visit the property, for example.

Clean and Green funding

Q. Clean and Green funding is missing from Wayne County.

A. Under Pennsylvania’s Clean and Green Act, tax assessments are based on “use values rather than fair market values” for eligible properties.

Read the township’s alternate energy amendment and proposed updates.