RANSOM TOWNSHIP – Gentry Rouse, a senior project developer at Pivot Energy, discussed a proposed solar farm on the gravel pit on Main Street at the September supervisors meeting.
He said that there is currently legislation in Harrisburg to allow this concept. He mentioned that the township would receive money from the rent and taxes, and the residents and school are able to take solar energy.
Rouse said that Pivot Energy sent multiple emails to get the township to support it.
“It’s really about a 25-acre solar farm,” he said. “It would just connect right into the distribution system.”
Rouse said that he has a lease to develop the project but needs a policy in Harrisburg. He explained that the policy would allow to sell solar energy to consumers. He said that the township will have two revenue streams.
“It’s going to get the lease revenue,” he said. “It’s also going to get the property tax for the tax revenue based on the millage rate.”
Rouse told the residents that if they put solar on the grid locally, they won’t need as much energy shift because solar energy reduces the need to transmit energy from faraway places.
“By nature, that decreases the localized pricing, but ultimately, you can subscribe to it,” he said.
After a question-and-answer period, solicitor Edmund Scacchitti assured everyone that no final decision has been made about this project.
“Whether or not it happens though, the jury’s still out,” he said.
Scacchitti assured that everything is being done in public view.
“This is all out and open and above board in the open,” he said.
In other business, the supervisors voted to approve the auditors to set the salary of new Ransom Township supervisor Gerald Scott Jr.
Supervisor Dave Bird announced that the Fall Clean-up will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7 and 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 8.
In his treasury report, Bird announced the general fund to be $1,734,484.96; liquid fuels, $778,582; revenues, $41,672.48; expenditures, $79,844.79.
