Tag: Blake solar project

Interview with Daphne Andrews-Republican Candidate for the House of Delegates-WV 99th Delegate District

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Summary

Daphne Andrews’ West Virginia House of Delegates Campaign
Richard introduced Daphne Andrews as a West Virginia primary candidate running for the House of Delegates in District 99. Daphne, a constitutional conservative and defender of the First and Second Amendments, highlighted her commitment to fiscal responsibility, opposition to solar farms and the climate change green agenda, and her desire to attract American businesses to the state. She also expressed concern about the state’s direction in green energy and the welfare of children, citing a recent case in Boone County where the skeletal remains of a child were found after the family was reported to child protective services. Daphne also criticized the use of puberty blockers for children with depression or dysphoria.

Legislation, Green Energy, and Kabletown Project
Daphne and Richard talked about Wayne Clark, the founder of the Green Energy caucus for West Virginia, and his efforts to pass bills related to solar energy and zoning. Daphne brought up concerns about the Kabletown project and that environmental damage does not appear to be properly mitigated. Richard expressed his opposition to COVID-19 mandates and recalled a bill that was introduced in the 2021 legislative session that was passed by the House but destroyed by the Senate, with Senator Trump leading the charge in gutting the bill.

Covid-19 Impact and Medical Freedom Discussion
Richard and Daphne discussed the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on their lives and the healthcare system. Daphne shared her experience as a frontline worker during the first wave of Covid-19 and her frustration about the lack of preparation and understanding of the disease. She also highlighted the negative impact the pandemic had on children’s education and the health of senior citizens due to isolation. In addition, Daphne expressed her support for medical freedom and religious exemptions in vaccinations, being disappointed by Governor Justice’s veto of the recent bill to provide some religious exemptions.

Election System Integrity and Preferences
Richard and Daphne discussed the integrity of election systems in their state, specifically focused on the use of electronic voting machines and paper ballots. Richard expressed concerns about the potential for inaccuracies with electronic voting machines, referring to issues in other states. Daphne, who has experience working the polls, explained her preference for the Jefferson County’s system that uses a thumb drive inserted into the tabulator and paper ballots printed as a backup, but also emphasized the need for uniformity across the state to avoid confusion and doubt. Richard expressed his preference for hand-counted paper ballots.

Strengthening Families, Reducing Abortions
Richard and Daphne discussed ways to strengthen families and reduce the rates of abortion. They agreed on the need to focus more on the education of youth to avoid the root cause of abortions, which is sex outside of marriage.

Promoting Education and Opportunities Beyond High School
Daphne discussed the importance of promoting education and opportunities beyond high school for students in West Virginia. She emphasized that her husband, formerly a coach at Washington High School, taught all of his student athletes the values of God first, then family, then studies, and finally sports. Daphne observed that most of his students went on to college or joined the military with success.

Property Tax Assessment and Voter Registration
Richard and Daphne discussed the issue of property tax assessment increases, with Daphne expressing support for capping or eliminating this tax. They also discussed the automatic voter registration at the DMV, with Daphne expressing dislike for this practice, citing a personal experience where her voter status was incorrectly changed. They both agreed that voter registration should be done through a form filled out deliberately, and not through an automatic system that could potentially lead to voter fraud.

Second Exit Road for Shannondale Community
Richard and Daphne discussed the need for a second exit road from the Shannondale community, which they both agreed could be a lifesaving measure in case of emergencies like forest fires. Daphne shared her personal experience of surviving a house fire and her opinion that the community needs a second exit. Richard suggested that the funding for such a project would likely require state support. They both agreed that the potential benefits of the second exit far outweighed any potential costs.

Daphne’s Comparison of Opponents Mike and Wayne
Daphne discussed the differences between her and her opponent, Mike Allers Jr., highlighting his support for unions and the Liberal West Virginia AFL-CIO’s endorsement of both him and Biden. She also criticized Mike’s stance on the Hope Scholarship and his lack of understanding about West Virginia. Furthermore, she revealed that Wayne Clark is involved in the green energy caucus and talked about not giving subsides to unproven technologies, like the company Form Energy company, which is developing an iron air battery. Daphne also mentioned that Wayne, another opponent, had previously been backed by the West Virginia Tea Party but later disappointed them with his actions.

Addressing West Virginia Tourism Concerns
Daphne mentioned that Wayne Clark only talked about tourism in his current campaign cycle, noting that he has not done anything to promote tourism. Richard joked that the Blake Solar project is the current welcome sign for tourists entering Jefferson County. Daphne also expressed her concern about the direction of the state, stating that the current government was not listening to its people. She, along with like-minded individuals, planned to take action for the people of West Virginia by going to Charleston to implement an agenda that is not controlled by special interests.

Categories
West Virginia Politics WV Elections 2024

#153-Interview with Daphne Andrews-Republican Candidate for the House of Delegates-WV 99th Delegate District

Listen to the audio podcast

Summary
Daphne Andrews’ West Virginia House of Delegates Campaign
Richard introduced Daphne Andrews as a West Virginia primary candidate running for the House of Delegates in District 99. Daphne, a constitutional conservative and defender of the First and Second Amendments, highlighted her commitment to fiscal responsibility, opposition to solar farms and the climate change green agenda, and her desire to attract American businesses to the state. She also expressed concern about the state’s direction in green energy and the welfare of children, citing a recent case in Boone County where the skeletal remains of a child were found after the family was reported to child protective services. Daphne also criticized the use of puberty blockers for children with depression or dysphoria.
Legislation, Green Energy, and Kabletown Project
Daphne and Richard talked about Wayne Clark, the founder of the Green Energy caucus for West Virginia, and his efforts to pass bills related to solar energy and zoning. Daphne brought up concerns about the Kabletown project and that environmental damage does not appear to be properly mitigated. Richard expressed his opposition to COVID-19 mandates and recalled a bill that was introduced in the 2021 legislative session that was passed by the House but destroyed by the Senate, with Senator Trump leading the charge in gutting the bill.
Covid-19 Impact and Medical Freedom Discussion
Richard and Daphne discussed the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on their lives and the healthcare system. Daphne shared her experience as a frontline worker during the first wave of Covid-19 and her frustration about the lack of preparation and understanding of the disease. She also highlighted the negative impact the pandemic had on children’s education and the health of senior citizens due to isolation. In addition, Daphne expressed her support for medical freedom and religious exemptions in vaccinations, being disappointed by Governor Justice’s veto of the recent bill to provide some religious exemptions.
Election System Integrity and Preferences
Richard and Daphne discussed the integrity of election systems in their state, specifically focused on the use of electronic voting machines and paper ballots. Richard expressed concerns about the potential for inaccuracies with electronic voting machines, referring to issues in other states. Daphne, who has experience working the polls, explained her preference for the Jefferson County’s system that uses a thumb drive inserted into the tabulator and paper ballots printed as a backup, but also emphasized the need for uniformity across the state to avoid confusion and doubt. Richard expressed his preference for hand-counted paper ballots.
Strengthening Families, Reducing Abortions
Richard and Daphne discussed ways to strengthen families and reduce the rates of abortion. They agreed on the need to focus more on the education of youth to avoid the root cause of abortions, which is sex outside of marriage.
Promoting Education and Opportunities Beyond High School
Daphne discussed the importance of promoting education and opportunities beyond high school for students in West Virginia. She emphasized that her husband, formerly a coach at Washington High School, taught all of his student athletes the values of God first, then family, then studies, and finally sports.  Daphne observed that most of his students went on to college or joined the military with success.
Property Tax Assessment and Voter Registration
Richard and Daphne discussed the issue of property tax assessment increases, with Daphne expressing support for capping or eliminating this tax. They also discussed the automatic voter registration at the DMV, with Daphne expressing dislike for this practice, citing a personal experience where her voter status was incorrectly changed. They both agreed that voter registration should be done through a form filled out deliberately, and not through an automatic system that could potentially lead to voter fraud.
Second Exit Road for Shannondale Community
Richard and Daphne discussed the need for a second exit road from the Shannondale community, which they both agreed could be a lifesaving measure in case of emergencies like forest fires. Daphne shared her personal experience of surviving a house fire and her opinion that the community needs a second exit. Richard suggested that the funding for such a project would likely require state support. They both agreed that the potential benefits of the second exit far outweighed any potential costs.
Daphne’s Comparison of Opponents Mike and Wayne
Daphne discussed the differences between her and her opponent, Mike Allers Jr., highlighting his support for unions and the Liberal West Virginia AFL-CIO’s endorsement of both him and Biden. She also criticized Mike’s stance on the Hope Scholarship and his lack of understanding about West Virginia. Furthermore, she revealed that Wayne Clark is involved in the green energy caucus and talked about not giving subsides to unproven technologies, like the company Form Energy company, which is developing an iron air battery. Daphne also mentioned that Wayne, another opponent, had previously been backed by the West Virginia Tea Party but later disappointed them with his actions.
Addressing West Virginia Tourism Concerns
Daphne mentioned that Wayne Clark only talked about tourism in his current campaign cycle, noting that he has not done anything to promote tourism.  Richard joked that the Blake Solar project is the current welcome sign for tourists entering Jefferson County.  Daphne also expressed her concern about the direction of the state, stating that the current government was not listening to its people. She, along with like-minded individuals, planned to take action for the people of West Virginia by going to Charleston to implement an agenda that is not controlled by special interests.
Categories
Environment Ethical Business Solar Development Uncategorized

Numerous Department of the Environment Violations at Blake Solar Project Site

Stormwater runoff from the Blake Solar Project enters the Shenandoah River at the Route 115 Bridge via Evitts Run on September 24, 2023.

Multiple complaints have been filed with the West Virginia Department of the Environment, resulting in multiple inspections and the issuing of multiple notices of violations.
See the inspection reports, including pictures below.
View the complaints by selecting each file below:

https://www.visionroot.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Stormwater-Citizens-Complaint-WVR111837.pdf

https://www.visionroot.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AXExport-20240109-062143-9405-file0001.pdf

https://www.visionroot.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AXExport-20240109-062006-5710-file0001.pdf

https://www.visionroot.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AXExport-20240109-060526-5113-file0001.pdf

https://www.visionroot.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AXExport-20240109-055554-2656-file0001.pdf

Violations include, among others, no corrective action for construction areas and no provision for temporary seeding and mulching. In other words, soil will continue to run off during construction, unless this is corrected. “The majority of the sediment trapping structures on the site had been removed and converted to permanent storm water management ponds. Other trapping structures that were not converted had been removed. However, the site remained disturbed…”

Still, to this date, the violations have not been remediated to the satisfaction of the Virginia Department of the Environment. Yet, no stop work orders have been issued, and no fines have been levied. These regulations need teeth, in the form of stop work orders and hefty fines.

This project is a bellwether for what we can expect if other solar projects are built in Jefferson County. The solar text amendment needs to be repealed. It is not in accordance with our current Comprehensive Plan.

A thoughtful solar plan could allow solar development on brownfield areas, such as the county dump or the Millville quarry site, not on prime farmland. Perhaps much smaller solar projects could be built on existing substation land plots owned by power companies. But in no way is this carte blanch approach of allowing solar farms anywhere in urban zoned areas and as a permitted use anywhere else good for Jefferson County or its citizens.

It is only “good” for a few large landowners, and some real estate developers who will reap a large profit windfall, at everyone else’s’ expense.

Categories
Ethical Business Politics Solar Development

Open Letter to Prosecutor Matt Harvey re Jackson & Krouse

December 13, 2023

Matt Harvey
Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney
P.O. Box 729
Charles Town WV 25414

Dear Prosecutor Harvey,

This is an open letter to question and analyze why you are continuing with the petition to remove my local Commissioner, Tricia Jackson, as well as my Commissioner Jennifer Krouse.

Ostensibly, your action was to compel Jackson and Krouse to return to work.  Now that they have returned to work, why have you not dropped this petition?

Is it your job to determine who the rightfully elected representatives of Jefferson County residents are?  No, it is not.  That is the job of the voters.  I, as a voter, do not want Commissioner Jackson and Commissioner Krouse removed.  Also, you bring charges against Jackson and Krouse as if they have committed some crime, when in fact their actions were a protest against corrupt activities by a government official.  Would not the normal order of business be for a crime to have occurred, and then for a jury of peers to decide if that is indeed the case?  The Constitution provides for a clear separation of powers.  Voters should decide about matters regarding elected officials.  Yet, without any criminal activity occurring, you are seeking to remove my elected officials from office.  This is wrong.

It is also very ironic that the person who is the instigating cause for the protest action of Jackson and Krouse is actually the person who has huge conflicts of interest.  Even if they do not rise to the legal definition of a crime, which as we know, is open to interpretation, they still certainly are conflicts of interest.  These conflicts of interest affect the welfare and well-being of all citizens of Jefferson County.  Should not this be acknowledged and probed further to see if the financial interest of Stolipher in solar development is self-dealing that causes harm to the citizens of Jefferson County?

In your petition, you cover extensively how Jackson and Krouse are only thinking about their own agenda.  However, that is false.  They are thinking about the well-being of the whole county and its residents, not just a select few people.

One thing you do not mention at all in your petition, is the main reason that the entire situation came about to begin with.  That one thing is the railroading of industrial solar development in Jefferson County by Steve Stolipher and his cronies.  The main action that is behind this whole situation are Stolipher’s refusal to put discussion of the Solar Text Amendment on the County Commission Agenda.  No doubt, Stolipher, was not happy with the removal of the Solar Text Amendment by Jackson and Krouse’s votes on September 7, 2023.

One point that you should be investigated is the huge conflicts of interest that Stolipher undeniably has.  Whether some ethics committee panel decides that conflicts of interest rise to their interpretation of being legally acceptable, they are still conflicts of interest.  To give a current example, President Biden continues to say that he has no conflicts of interest regarding his decision making process.  Yet it is an incontrovertible fact that he has many conflicts of interest with regards to payments to his family from foreign entities in Ukraine, China and other locations.

Stolipher has multiple conflicts of interest regarding solar development.  First, as a real estate agent, he makes commissions off of the sale or leasing of properties.  Since solar farm leases are for up to 35 years, this will be a substantial amount.  For example, if the real estate agent negotiating the $15,600,000 35 year lease for the Wild Hill Solar project hypothetically received just a 3% commission, that would amount to $468,000.  

The current Comprehensive Plan specifies preserving the rural nature of Jefferson County, and does not support industrial scale solar farms on rural lands.  County Judge Deborah McLaughlin expressed this in striking down the April 21, 2021 Comprehensive Plan text amendment.  By lobbying during the 2022 Legislative Session for HB 4553, Stolipher is supporting state legislation that attempts to skirt local zoning regulations by allowing solar farms in any zoning district anywhere in the state as a matter of right.  This is in direct contradiction to his responsibility as a County Commissioner to represent the best interests of all of his constituents, not just a handful of large landowners and farmers. In other words, this lobbying is self-dealing.

In conclusion, I urge you to drop the petition attempting to remove County Commissioners Jackson and Krouse.  They have been looking out for the best interests of all of the citizens in Jefferson County.  If voters want to remove Jackson and Krouse they will decide that issue at the ballot box at their next reelection. 

Sincerely,

Richard Urban
Shannondale
Harpers Ferry, WV

Solar Farms Cause Esthetic & Environmental Damage to Jefferson County WV

Industrial scale solar farms are not in alignment with Jefferson County WV’s Comprehensive Plan. Furthermore, they are causing environmental damage and ruining fertile farmland. The idea that the under construction Blake solar project and proposed solar farms are providing vital income for struggling farmers is complete BS.

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Categories
Environment Politics West Virginia Politics

#146-Solar Farms Cause Esthetic & Environmental Damage to Jefferson County WV

Industrial scale solar farms are not in alignment with Jefferson County WV’s Comprehensive Plan. Furthermore, they are causing environmental damage and ruining fertile farmland. The idea that the under construction Blake solar project and proposed solar farms are providing vital income for struggling farmers is complete BS.

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Categories
Environment

Everyone’s Property Rights Must Be Respected

Evitts Run, near the Blake solar project, on Sept. 24, 2023.

Note:  A shorter version of this editorial was slated to be published in a column in the Spirit of Jefferson newspaper, but the Editor decided not to publish it after talking with Stolipher.

Recently, there has been an impasse at the Jefferson County Commission.  Commissioners Krouse and Jackson have refused to attend the regularly scheduled Jefferson County Commission meetings held after the September 7th meeting.

What is behind this impasse?

The short answer is; conflicts of interest and corruption.

This controversy continues as the new Blake solar farm project is being built outside Charles Town, and at least one other solar farm in Jefferson County, the Wild Hill solar project near Kabletown has received an extension of its conditional use permit.

Jefferson County Commissioner Steve Stolipher, who owns farmland, says that he did not receive any remuneration for his efforts to increase the prevalence of solar farms throughout West Virginia, as evidenced by his lobbying during the 2022 Legislative Session for legislation (not passed) that would allow solar farms as a matter of right in all West Virginia counties. Solar farms would still have to get required permits and meet all regulations under the proposed legislation he advocated, Stolipher points out. He also said that he will not benefit personally through owning properties that might be leased or sold to solar farm developers. 

Stolipher, a farmer, a commercial real estate broker and an auctioneer, is from a family of longtime farmers in Jefferson County.  The Stolipher family owns over 600 acres in Jefferson County, according to public records. (http://documents.jeffersoncountywv.org/  Search for “Stolipher”). 

Stolipher is a big proponent of property rights, stating that an owner can do as they see fit with their property. A member of the Jefferson County Planning Commission since 2012, and the county commission’s current voting member on the planning commission, he recently said he does not believe in land zoning restrictions. Stolipher is also a voting member of the Jefferson County Republican Executive Committee and the Jefferson County Development Authority (JCDA).

Although all Commissioners sit on commissions, they are not all voting members of those commissions.  The Planning Commission has approved the four solar projects that were either being built (Blake) or in the works when the solar text amendment was rescinded.  Although Stolipher generally recuses himself when votes are taken, the fact that he won’t reveal the exact nature of his conflicts of interest is a serious ethical problem.  In my conversation with Stolipher, he said he did not know if his brothers would financially benefit from the development of solar farms in Jefferson County. In yet another assault on transparency, the Jefferson County Planning Commission, on October 10th, voted to eliminate public notice and comments for waiver applications.  This is completely unacceptable, and a step away from, not toward, transparency.

Stolipher indicated to me that it is more profitable for farmers to have their land used for solar farms than to grow corn on it. He said that farmers make about $200-per-acre profit growing corn. In comparison, landowners of the proposed Wild Hill solar farm project would make $475 per acre per year over a 39-year lease.  This figure is taken by dividing the revenue stated in the article in the Nov. 1 Spirit and dividing it by the number of years and the number of acres.

When I pointed out about environmental concerns, including runoff into and sedimentation of the Shenandoah River, apparently mostly due to the Blake solar project under construction, he took objection to that assessment. Later in our conversation, he indicated that runoff should not occur for any project, not just from solar farms.

Another large point of contention is that, very likely, Stolipher is moving to have a replacement candidate for Clarrie Ath, who resigned as Commissioner put on the council to vote in favor of his agenda.  According to Commissioner Krouse, the Republican Executive Committee did not follow established procedures to conduct an on the record and transparent vote for the slate of three candidates that they are presenting.  As such, that slate is not valid.  A transparent selection process is needed.  Furthermore, one of the propose candidates, Keith Lowry, would have an inherent conflict of interest, as the organization that he is executive director of, Jefferson Ministries, has received up to $80,000 of yearly funding from Jefferson County.

Addressing part of the reason for an ongoing dispute among county commissioners, Stolipher said that the reason he did not put Commissioner Jennifer Krouse’s recent solar farm discussion request on the commission’s meeting agenda was because it was submitted late.  However, Krouse explained that the item was initially approved but later removed when Stolipher saw exactly what the agenda item was.

When talking about property rights the property rights of all of those affected by solar farm projects have to be considered. Decisions also have to be made transparently, and public discussion and approval is a must.   As a real estate broker, Stolipher should reveal if he has received or will receive any commissions from the sale of any of the properties sold to solar farm developers.

This transparency was lacking during the development stage of the Rockwool insulation plant, and we should not repeat that mistake regarding solar farms. Citizen input should be valued, not dismissed

What about the property rights of homeowners in the new King’s Crossing subdivision directly adjacent to the Blake solar project? What about the property rights of those who own riverside lots who are effected by runoff and sedimentation of the Shenandoah River? A complaint regarding this runoff was submitted to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection by the Jefferson County foundation on Sept. 26. 

We should also be very wary of the proposed takeover of siting decisions for solar farms by the state government. A similar situation is now playing out in Michigan, where the governor and legislature are moving toward passing legislation that would strip the ability of local communities to decide if they want such projects by placing them on the ballot for local referendums. 

In fact, West Virginia needs legislation so local communities can have more say, not less, in solar or other industrial development. It is a good idea to allow local communities to request ballot measures to approve or disapprove solar or wind farm projects. That ability for local communities to have more development control, should be added to state law during the upcoming legislative session.

A better strategy regarding finding appropriate sites for solar farms is to locate them on degraded lands or ‘brownfields’. 

According to Kameli and Shen of the Virginia Coastal Policy Center in “Developing Solar Energy in Rural Virginia: An Analysis of Legal, Environmental, and Policy Issues” (2022),

To avoid disturbing prime forested and agricultural lands, solar developers and localities should consider siting new solar projects on degraded lands or ‘brownfields’ such as former industrial sites, landfills, or mined areas, provided appropriate environmental controls are in place to mitigate adverse effects. Additionally, distributed solar is another option that could be explored more in Virginia to ease the pressure to develop large solar facilities in rural communities

The Millville quarry site, where a solar farm is envisioned is an example of an area where it makes sense to install a solar farm.

What long term economic benefit does a solar farm provide, except to those leasing or selling the land that the solar farm is situated on, which is only a handful of people?  Land owners’ interests must be balanced against the interests of the whole community.  Some of the interests of the whole community are; concerns about the environmental damage that solar farms routinely cause, the decline in property values of nearby properties, and the effect on tourism.  Instead of a bucolic rural area, widespread solar farms would turn Jefferson County into an industrial area, and tourism is a major economic engine in Jefferson County.

It is also important to maintain farmland for food production.  This is especially true in an unstable world, where food shortages have become a reality.