| 4/15/2026 Editor’s note: This is the second installment of coverage regarding a meeting of the York County Commissioners this week, regarding zoning regulations for large solar projects. The first installment outlines how the board is now sitting with setbacks they will consider for a final resolution. This installment focuses on views of those in attendance. |
York County Press Release
YORK – York County residents (and a few not from here) had a lot to say Tuesday morning when the county commissioners convened to hammer out their latest draft of proposed zoning regulations pertaining to solar generation projects in York County.
This contentious matter has been before the county board for four years now – the first whispers of a potential solar project in York County started being heard back in 2020.
Even before the county board convened, a number of people were out in front of the courthouse, holding signs showing their dislike for solar projects being created on prime farmland.
Inside the courthouse, more chairs had to be brought to the county commissioners’ meeting room as there were so many people in attendance
Early in the meeting, the commissioners opened up the public forum portion during which attendees each had three minutes to speak to the matter.
Joan Jackson of rural York County spoke about the numerous severe hail storms and tornadoes which have taken place in southern York County (where the K Junction Solar project is supposed to happen) over the course of the last 36 years. She asked who would be responsible for cleaning up damage from such a storm if it hit a solar field.
Kendra Johnson told the commissioners, “I beg you to protest us with half-mile setbacks, which the zoning board offered for non-participating dwellings.” She also said she was concerned about possible chemical/heavy metal contamination being left behind in the soil where these projects are located. “The point is there are enough questions about the longterm effects of large solar projects. If an outright ban is off the table, I beg you to have half-mile setbacks.”
Jim Edmundsen from York expressed his concern about fire risk posed by having large battery storage at large facilities (the commissioners later went on to ban battery storage for large industrial solar compounds). “We just saw what happened out west with the wildfires. And the industrial chemicals can seep into the groundwater. We also know how unpredictable the weather is which could easily damage the panels. In York, we all know about having a superfund site here with the contamination from dry cleaners, which took millions of dollars and years to clean up. We have some of the best farmground in the nation, it seems sacrilegious to use that land for anything but agriculture. I’m afraid if this passes (if solar farms are allowed) it will open the flood gates for using York County and swapping out previous farm ground for industrial purposes.”
Connie Hall, a rural McCool resident, told the commissioners, “I originally signed up with EDF (the initial company which got contracts with landowners by McCool) – if I’d known then what I know now, I wouldn’t have signed up. We need to stop this project. We have had dangerous storms in this area and if we did with one of these there, how would we clean up all the glass? And will OPPD clean up all the broken glass and replace the panels year after year? I don’t think so. Let’s shut down this project once and for all. You can vote against it, I did.”
Stacy Dick of Henderson told the county board members she opposes large solar projects. “It’s all about where they are and at whose expense. This is some of the best ag land in the country, covering it with solar panels is not progress, it’s a shift from what makes York County strong. It will have an economic ripple effect. A couple of landowners might profit but it will be at the expense of the neighbors. If it was true you could do whatever you want with your land, we wouldn’t have zoning at all. Land use comes with rules. That’s why zoning exists, to balance rights with fairness. Once the land is converted, there is no easy way back.”
Sue Adams from York said she is in opposition to the proposed solar project by McCool Junction (while the county board reminded the crowd they were considering zoning regulations for all solar projects in York County, not just the one being pursued by OPPD). “This project – 3,367 acres is not a solar field, it is a solar city. 3,690 acres is the number of acres in the entire city of York. And this solar project, it doesn’t not support new people, or new business. York County is prosperous because it is supported by agriculture. OPPD is billing this as economic development (but not supporting the definition of economic development).” She also argued it would cause economic loss by taking a large number of acres out of agricultural production.
Dan Adams of York explained how he was “born and raised in York County, then moved to Omaha and moved back to York. In Omaha, I watched a lot of areas grow,” noting Google centers in Omaha and Lincoln. “They need a lot of electricity and what many people don’t realize is the amount of water needed for data centers. This solar project in York County is 100 miles west of Omaha so it’s hard to fathom why they are targeting York County, but I think it’s for the water underneath. The water is needed for these data centers. There are plenty of acres around Omaha and Lincoln for these centers – Google and Governor Pillen are the primary drivers behind this solar project. So it’s not just about farmland, it’s also about the water underneath, which I think is the target.”
Julie Wellman of Waco, who spearheaded the earlier recall election against Commissioner LeRoy Ott, addressed the county board – but then said all of her comments were directed toward Commissioner Deb Robertson, who was subsequently appointed to replace Ott in that seat. She wanted to do a question/answer with Robertson, but was reminded by Commissioner Chairman Daniel Grotz the public forum was not a place for questions and answers – comments only. She asked about money “taken from the farm heritage fund which was given to the roads department” and she asked Robertson, “who do you represent – OPPD, the bank or the person next to you (in reference to Commissioner Randy Obermier). And I have to ask why the county attorney, county treasurer and county clerk thought you were the best candidate for this position when three others were more informed about this. I want answers.”
Chuck Byers from McCool immediately addressed Commissioner Joe Burgess, accusing him of making “disrespectful facial expressions” toward those making public comments. “You are a Communist, you are anti-veteran, Deb (Commissioner Robertson) is a Communist. Joe, do you know anything about heat transfer? You think you know more than anyone here but you are just being a punk.” Byers continued to talk about the potential effects of heat from the solar fields onto neighboring properties. “This will affect non-participating properties, it will stress crops and livestock and livestock which Joe, we know you don’t care about. An environmental catastrophe is coming to York County because Joe Burgess is on the take with someone.” Byers did not further elaborate on those allegations.
(Editor’s note: Another installment will be published regarding this meeting, as there is a large amount of dialogue from the public).
