Farmers and Ranchers Against Solar Group powering up efforts in 40 Mile
Aira Wind Power Inc. has applied to construct and operate a 450-megawatt solar power plant, designated as the Aira Solar Project in the County of 40 Mile. However, some residents are concerned about the impacts of the undertaking.
On Jan. 2, 2022, the Farmers and Ranchers Against Solar Group, (FARAS Group) was formed to seek more information regarding the project, explained Linda Fisher.
“The 450-megawatt project would cover 28-quarter sections, approximately 4,500 acres of mostly cultivated and some native prairie, with 1.2 million solar panels that must be enclosed by a 6-foot chain link fence topped with barbed wire,” said Fisher, member and spokesperson for the FARAS Group. “We formed the group to support each other and to have the project moved to a better site that is less impactful on ranchers and their livelihoods. It is hugely impacting the very large intact and critically-important native prairie grasslands and critically-important wildlife corridor here, which composes a very large portion of this area.”
The present site would disturb and remove 28 quarter sections of valuable food producing land from production explained Fisher. The FARAS group questions why already disturbed land, such as houses and buildings, can’t be used to generate solar instead, where the impact would be lessened. This could also work to cool the heat generated by cities.
“I have been told, despite claims to the contrary, that reclaiming these solar project leased lands after 35 or more years will be extremely difficult – gravel that will need to be laid down on the clay-based soil there for the interior roadways to enable maintenance vehicles to attend to the solar facility will accumulate over the long leased time frame, making it very difficult if not financially impossible to return the land to its previous state,” said Fisher.
“The open ground in the project area and lack of rainfall in this semi-desert region will allow undesirable plants and potentially noxious weeds to take hold before seeded grasses can become established,” said Fisher.
If soil sterilants are used for weed control, their accumulation effects in this arid area may last for longer than 10 years, and is also a concern.
Fire risk is another major concern. The increased vehicle and human presence in the area serving as a potential match on the dry grasses on the parcels.
“Despite weed control requirements, I have seen chain link fences surrounding other solar projects in southern Alberta filled with tumbleweeds, which is a very volatile fuel load, and almost constantly blowing winds in Southeast Alberta cause fires to spread very quickly,” said Fisher.
Current no-till farming practices and constant growth create conditions for fires that spread and are difficult to control, and could result in the loss of lives for volunteer firefighters, as well as homes and infrastructure in the surrounding area, said Fisher.
Dust from the open ground, noise, glare, and driving hazards on the connected roads were also listed among the concerns of the 10 families that presently make up the FARAS Group. Potential waste from the project, both in construction and in the event of panels becoming critically damaged being left to the 40 Mile landfill, is also an issue, said Fisher.
“Right now this area is quiet and secluded with not much road traffic,” said Fisher. “Many Albertans and tourists appreciate this area as they drive and enjoy the solitude and enjoy photography,and the beauty of the open prairie, etc, as they make their way to the very unique Red Rock Coulee, which is within 2.5 miles of the south end of the project. From the viewpoint there, viewing 1.2 million solar panels will certainly affect the experience of this very special spot.”
Fisher also adds that the installation could cause the deaths of migrating waterfowl who attempt to land or crash into the panels due to the “Lake effect,” alongside many other species that would be impacted by loss of habitat.
“A case of death by a thousand cuts for the endangered grasslands themselves and the birds, animals and plants which depend on them, as much of Southeastern Alberta is presently being proposed for a huge number of renewable energy projects,” said Fisher.
Some members of the Group have met with a representative of Aira Wind Power Inc., who oversees the solar project on behalf of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. FARAS Group is registered as an AUC participant and will take part in the Alberta Utilities Commission Proceeding 27842 which is currently underway dealing with this solar project, said Fisher, and any interested persons have until the January 19, 2023 deadline to submit an application to participate in the AUC deliberations.
“The cumulative effect of all of these projects must be considered,” said Fisher. “Anyone concerned with the Aira Solar industrial mega project is welcome to join the FARAS Group, just email us.”
Interested parties are encouraged to reach out at faras40mile@gmail.com with names, an outline of concerns, and how they could add to the group, as well as to sign an online petition at https:// chng.it/N49mtn9z.
The signatures and comments from the petition will be forwarded to the Alberta Utilities Commission which does consider online petition results as part of information gathered to help in their decision of whether the Aira Solar Project can proceed or not, added Fisher.