Wagoner County Commissioners Reject Solar Farm Near Porter

Wagoner County Commissioners voted 2-1 on Monday to deny a permit for a proposed solar farm near Porter.

The decision follows weeks of public debate over a project pitched by NextEra Energy Resources.

Previous Story: Wagoner County solar farm proposed near Porter, vote on permit in June

Residents Raise Concerns Over Environment, Local Impact

The proposed 241-megawatt facility would have supplied power to the grid through a PSO substation and was projected to generate an estimated $31 million in taxes over 30 years.

Supporters, including some local landowners, said the revenue could help modernize Porter schools, retain quality teachers and attract future development.

But others voiced strong opposition, citing environmental concerns, health worries and changes to the landscape.

Representatives for Nextera said the project would have minimal impact on neighbors, but commissioners still sided with critics who doubted the project would indeed pay the promised taxes, and believed it was connected to a larger national effort the generate and distribute renewable energy.

The company released a statement after the vote, saying they were committed to the project, despite Monday's decision.

"While NextEra Energy Resources is disappointed with the decision by the Board of County Commissioners, we remain deeply committed to working with local leaders to develop the Persica Solar project in Wagoner County and bring the benefits of the project to the community, including approximately $31 million dollars in tax payments over the lifetime of the project,” said a representative of NextEra.