The Warren Sentinel

May 27, 2010

EDA updates council on solar issue

By Meghan Moeslein

With the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority taking over all business transactions associated with the proposed solar farm, an update was provided Monday evening to council regarding the recent happenings.

Town Manager Mike Graham was put on the spot Monday evening when councilman Tom Sayre asked him to “share the good news” regarding a recent AMP (American Municipal Power) meeting.

AMP got involved with the solar project after Front Royal decided that building the plant would be an undertaking far larger than the town was prepared for.

Graham informed council he would like Jennifer McDonald of the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority to speak on the matter during her update to the board, but did say that he heard things went well at the AMP meeting.

“Until it’s official the negotiations for land and everything will be handled by the EDA,” Graham said.

McDonald provided an update for regarding AMP stating that she and other EDA representatives met with AMP Ohio on May 15.

“They gave us a brief presentation on what they plan to do.  All 300 acres of the solar farm will not be in Front Royal.  They may start with eight megawatts and move up to 20 megawatts, here in Front Royal.  Nothing is official yet, I have not heard that they have signed an agreement,” said McDonald, who went on to say that currently the EDA is helping AMP find a suitable location.

“The Royal Phoenix site may not be right for them,” she said.  “We’re looking at other properties and putting together a package of the properties that would work best for them.”

McDonald and Graham both stated that nothing has been made official by AMP but they are hopeful regarding the project’s future.

Both informed council that as more information was made available they would let everyone know.