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I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around what exactly the Democrats in Richmond are thinking. Having just been embarrassed on multiple levels in the November elections, the Democratic Party really decided what they need to do in order to win folks over is to take away the power of a local government. Consider it a solar takeover. It just makes no sense. 

I admit, I am concerned by the idea of a solar takeover. If I don’t want a solar farm in my backyard, that’s my right. There shouldn’t be any group telling me I have no choice but to smile, nod and tear down my barn to put a bunch of solar panels up. And for what? Why is this so absolutely important? You’d think there was some sort of world-ending event going to take place if we don’t meet those solar goals. But then I saw the senator’s comments. If we don’t do this, there’s a good chance the investors will get up and leave.

Who will? There’s plenty of companies whose permits have already been approved and, if I read correctly, have to keep begging local governments to extend the shelf life of their respective permits, because they’re still not ready to actually build anything. If there was such a big demand, as all these politicians swear, wouldn’t companies be rushing to start construction as soon as possible, in order to capitalize and be the first one hooking up to the system? I haven’t seen that yet either. 

In fact, I’ll be willing to bet that you see fewer solar projects pop up over the next few years, as the new administration does away with the incentives, grants and all the tax money that’s been flowing to these groups. At that point, I wonder if all these solar supporters will be still demanding that we keep building? Or will they just move on to the next crusade? 

Thomas Babbage
Prince Edward