FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. — Just off Spring Run Road in Fannett Township, Franklin County lies more than 700 acres of land.
Resident Brian Cassidy claims the land used to be for farming.
“I was made aware of the one time when I came over to visit my property and saw something going on,” Cassidy said.
The land is being developed for the Aspen Road Solar Project.
A project Cassidy says is unwelcome.
“From what I understand, there should’ve been a formal meeting with the solar company,” he said.
The project is being efforted by Urban Grid, who claim to have contacted the township about the project in 2020.
Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives Inc (IEA) and its parent company MasTec were contracted to construct the farm.
“We’re building a solar farm for this electricity, you flick the light, the light comes on and that’s what we’re doing, it’s clean energy,” said Sal G., the project manager for IEA.
Residents say the land being developed is sentimental to the community.
“This is the first of its kind, there’s never been anything like this in this area before,” Cassidy said.
Some voiced their discontent during Thursday’s township meeting, questioning why people weren’t told about the project sooner.
The township says the land was sold privately by the property’s owner, who was not required to release the information due to the township not having a zoning ordinance.
“We’re pretty sure we’re not going to be able to stop this, I talked to someone who said we could but it’s very complicated,” Cassidy said.
Urban Grid broke ground after receiving its earth-moving permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Urban Grid received pre-approval for land development before breaking ground and is currently seeking full approval from the state.
The project is expected to be completed sometime in 2024.