Silicon Ranch addresses residents concerns for first time over proposed solar farm in Baldwin County

STOCKTON, Ala. – Silicon Ranch, the developer of a proposed 4,500-acre solar farm in North Baldwin County, met with local residents Wednesday night to address mounting concerns over the project. The massive solar installation is slated to generate power for a Meta Data Center located in Montgomery, Alabama. Residents gathered at the John R. Rhodes Civic Center in Bay Minette, protesting outside before the scheduled meeting. Inside the meeting, residents voiced strong opposition, particularly regarding the farm's proposed location within a wetland area in Stockton. Many questioned the project's environmental impact on the local ecosystem and expressed skepticism about the economic benefits for the citizens of Stockton. One resident articulated a lack of trust, asking, "How are we supposed to trust you?" Reagan Farr, President of Silicon Ranch, acknowledged the concerns and aimed to dispel what he termed "misinformation" surrounding the project. He explained that the site was specifically chosen due to its proximity to an existing powerline, making it an "industrial site." Farr also asserted that the project is more environmentally friendly than the current timber operations on the property, highlighting plans to preserve 2,500 acres of wetlands and woodlands within the 4,500-acre tract, alongside 2,000 acres of solar panels. Despite the developer's explanations, community opposition remains active. While a zoning vote tied to the solar farm has already been approved, the Baldwin County Commission announced that a petition demanding a referendum on the project has garnered enough signatures. A probate judge is now tasked with setting an election day within the next 90 days, indicating that the future of the solar farm will be put to a public vote.