We write to support the text amendment that allows the development of the Horizon Solar Project by Ted Renewables.
It is an honor to advocate for development that benefits the residents of Warren County, NC. In 1982, residents of Warren County inspired the nation with 6 weeks of daily protests against the PCB landfill in Afton. Residents of Warren County used a strong foundation of civil rights organizing to fight for their future. The strength of a Black-led, interracial movement helped the country to see how environmental hazards, like toxic waste landfills, disproportionately affected people of color and visualize environmental racism. In 1991, leaders gathered in Washington D.C. for the People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit to formalize and unify the national environmental justice movement in the same spirit as what started here in Warren County. There, they wrote the 17 principles of Environmental Justice to set the foundation for movement. Today, we use these principles to assess this project
Principle 3: Environmental Justice mandates the right to ethical, balanced and responsible uses of land and renewable resources in the interest of a sustainable planet for humans and other living things.
Solar as a renewable resource - Warren County’s economy is mostly based on agriculture, both farming and timber. In particular, timber takes 30 years to provide a single crop before a new stand of trees needs to be regrown. Solar is always generating energy and income from the constant presence of the sun.
This development has a decommission plan to recycle 90% of the materials. By state law, any project being approved for construction must include a plan and funding set aside for the end of life decommissioning and restoration of the land hosting the solar project. The land hosting this project will be treated in an ethical, responsible manner that is much more beneficial to the County over a longer period of time than any other form of development.
This project will support pollinator habitat and build an apiary for dual-use regenerative agriculture design
Principle 5: Environmental Justice affirms the fundamental right to political, economic, cultural and environmental self-determination of all peoples.
This project has the consent and collaboration of the landowners
Economic investment from the project will generate an estimated $300,000 in annual tax revenue for the county
Economic investment of $2 million dollars up front after the project comes online
Governor Stein’s administration states that NC “needs an energy system that protects consumers, reduces climate and air pollution, and supports economic growth”.
Principle 7: Environmental Justice demands the right to participate as equal partners at every level of decision-making, including needs assessment, planning, implementation, enforcement and evaluation.
The developer has been attending community meetings for years to understand the needs of Warren county residents.
The developer has worked to align the community benefits agreement with Warren County’s Comprehensive Plan, specifically the communicated priorities of preserving the rural nature of the county, with plans that include more generous and well maintained vegetative buffers than anywhere else in the state, and significant investment in new greenway trails and spaces.
Principle 8: Environmental Justice affirms the right of all workers to a safe and healthy work environment without being forced to choose between an unsafe livelihood and unemployment. It also affirms the right of those who work at home to be free from environmental hazards.
The developer is pledging to work with well known and trusted workforce training centers in the region to ensure that Warren County residents have an opportunity to take part in the fastest-growing, most innovative workforce in the United States.
Nationwide, median incomes for jobs in the solar industry are higher than comparable jobs in general construction, manufacturing, and other similar labor industries. This is definitely true in North Carolina as well
Solar technician jobs offer safe working conditions and transferable skills
North Carolina has long been a leader in the renewable energy space, with over 7,000 jobs currently based in the solar energy industry. New manufacturing, construction, and operations jobs are being added constantly, and even Governor Stein is calling for organizations across the state to help ensure North Carolina citizens, residents, and students are prepared and able to take advantage of the boom across the state.
Principle 16: Environmental Justice calls for the education of present and future generations which emphasizes social and environmental issues, based on our experience and an appreciation of our diverse cultural perspectives.
People around the country are taught about Warren County as the birthplace of the environmental justice movement.
At a time when school systems across the state are closing down to allow teachers to march in solidarity with the growing needs of our schools, the developer is offering a generous educational plan to help prepare the next generation of Warren County students and future leaders to be able to take an equitable stake in their educational future.
The residents of Warren County spurred the nation to fight for environmental justice. It is our duty to support the self-determination of Warren County now in projects that invest in their future.