RIDGECREST, N.C. — A proposed solar energy project on the grounds of a Baptist conference center in western North Carolina will be considered at a public hearing Jan. 9 in Asheville, after the state’s utilities commission received complaints about the project’s eventual impact on the environment and scenic views.
Ridgecrest Conference Center, about 20 miles east of Asheville, is considering leasing “five to six acres” to AMENERGY for a solar panel pilot project, said Marty King, director of corporate communications for LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, which owns and operates Ridgecrest.
A cell phone company leases space on a large cross which overlooks the main building at Ridgecrest Conference Center.
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If the pilot is successful, the Santa-Fe, N.M.-based renewable energy company ultimately envisions leasing an additional 200 acres for a $65 million project which would be one of the state’s largest solar energy operations. More than 90,000 panels would generate up to 21.5 megawatts of direct current to be sold to a power company.
North Carolina legislation requires that power companies get about 12 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2021.
King said LifeWay has not made a final decision about leasing the property.
“We haven’t made commitments either to the pilot or the long-term project,” he said.
He added that the only revenue LifeWay would receive from an agreement would be from the property’s rent. A similar arrangement exists with a cell phone company which leases space on a large cross at Ridgecrest.
Before finalizing the deal, AMENERGY was required to present its full proposal to the utilities commission for approval and to state environmental agencies for review. Environmental officials reported no major concerns, the Black Mountain (N.C.) News reported, but if formal complaints are received from the public on a project, the commission is required to hold a public hearing.
The commission received three complaints, the News reported, ranging from interrupted mountain views to displacement of animals and plants.
Ridgecrest owns about 1,300 acres and a spokesman for AMENERGY told the News the project would be unobtrusive and not visible from nearby Interstate 40. Initial construction could begin as early as this spring.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reported in November that the company also is considering a solar project at another LifeWay property — Glorieta Conference Center, north of Santa Fe. LifeWay, however, is attempting to sell Glorieta and an AMENERGY spokesman said the solar project there is on hold for now.
Robert Dilday (rdilday@religiousherald.org) is managing editor of the Religious Herald.