PEORIA, Ill. – The Peoria City Council is turning down a project that would have seen a solar farm in a residential district.
The proposed location for the farm was along Reservoir Boulevard not far from an intersection with Richwoods Boulevard.
Many residents spoke out against the project Tuesday, with at least one saying it’s almost right in her backyard.
“The developer said it would save money on electrical bills for low-income people. Great! I love that,” said Donna Moore, to the City Council. “He also says that if he built it five miles away, he could still service those same people. It didn’t have to be 80 feet from our back door.”
Moore says despite not wanting the solar farm, she’s a believer in climate change and in the possibilities of alternative energy.
Reverend Jonathan Thomas of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church spoke in favor, and helped spearhead the project.
“All I’m committed to is using our resources to make this available to people who have barriers to accessing solar on their own,” said Thomas, prior to the City Council vote. “That might be people who can’t monetize the tax rebates — non-profits like ourselves, or people who don’t pay income taxes. Or, it could be the vast numbers of people in this city who rent but have to pay their own utilities. Or, people in some of our historic areas of town whose rooftops won’t support it, or where there’s too much tree cover.”
Thomas says given the recent increase in energy prices, solar panels on his church mean he’s been able to save 50 percent on utility bills, or 20 percent prior to that.
The vote was 7-4 in favor of denying the permit, with Mayor Rita Ali voting to approve the permit.
Comments