As Mason County makes comprehensive plans for the future, we must consider data from the trends that brought us to this point.
Local generating stations have built an extensive electric transmission network in Mason County. Unlike other forms of local transportation, no public capital investment is needed for new enterprises to use this capacity.
Satellite map showing transmission lines and substations (While the map above has more info without login, this map shows substations and transmission lines on the satellite map)
Maysville has banned large-scale solar and Mason County’s current large-scale solar regulations discourage the establishment of well-regulated solar installations. Instead, we should demand solar regulations that model the Kentucky Model Solar Ordinance and benefit from the presence of these transmission lines. By doing so, we can achieve the following:
- Protect our topsoil for future generations.
- Reduce chemical pollution in local watersheds.
- Generate revenue help to replace the $64 million of lost tobacco and dairy income
- Increase the number of local high-value job opportunities.
- Expand the real estate tax base to support local services
- Safeguard the land from encroaching urbanization
Solar power can set our business recruitment efforts apart. As of January 2020, nearly half of Fortune 500 companies have publicly committed to renewable energy, greenhouse gas (GhG) reduction, or energy efficiency goals. Among the Fortune 100 companies, 63% have pledged to source more electricity from renewable energy generators. Many companies actively seek solar production in rural areas to fulfill these commitments for their new headquarters and service centers. New solar projects could make Mason County an attractive location for such companies, bringing in more skilled jobs and tax revenue to our community.