From: Cathy Caldie
Columbus
Solar panels are needed for future energy independence as we cannot continue to depend on fossil fuels. Rooftop solar benefits homeowners by lowering heating and cooling costs, providing clean, quiet and efficient energy without taking power from the grid.
The current proposal for solar farms should be passed with 200-foot setbacks. Many solar farms are planting native wildflowers which will benefit bee and butterfly populations that are declining due to pesticides, helping crops that depend on pollinators, and improve the soil and water absorption.
Pollinator-friendly solar projects provide renewable energy and natural habitats. The principle of low impact is designed to improve the land and soil while providing habitat for pollinators that will help nearby farmers, small and large alike. Native plant roots grow 5-15 feet deep, retaining more water during heavy rains and providing stability against flooding and providing a glorious array of color.
Smaller pollinator-friendly projects are also popping up around Indiana. One Hoosier farmer near Lafayette put solar on one acre of his farm and it supplies 90% of the energy used on his property! It reduces the operations and maintenance costs for mowing, herbicide and other plant management, while helping state agencies protect wildlife, according to the Indianapolis Star.
Bartholomew County should welcome renewable energy as our county, state and country transitions away from coal. Hopefully, becoming educated on this topic will let us see the benefits of solar power for the environment and the economy. Both rooftop solar and solar farms will be needed to provide power for the future.
