Lee Ziesche, lee.ziesche@sierraclub.org
Media Advisory: Saturday, April 13, 2024 @ 9:00AM
Special Meeting for County Commission to Vote on Kansas Sky Energy Center
Environmental Advocates Urge Board to Approve 159-MW Solar Project
What: The Douglas Board of County Commissioners is holding a public hearing to consider a request for a conditional-use permit for the Kansas Sky Energy Center, a 159-megawatt solar farm that would be owned and operated by Evergy.
Who: Sierra Club organizers and volunteers will attend the public hearing and urge the Board to approve the solar farm in Douglas County.
When: Saturday April 13, 2024 starting at 9:00AM.
Where: Public Works/Zoning and Codes Building, 3755 E. 25th St., Lawrence, KS, 66046 (map)
Why: Our livelihoods and natural ecosystems are being threatened by the severe effects of climate change from human-produced greenhouse gas emissions and the rapid pollution of the atmosphere. We need solar projects in Douglas County to create local clean energy instead of relying on the poisonous and expensive Lawrence coal-burning power plant or Evergy’s proposed gas-burning power plants.
Statement from Ty Gorman, Senior Kansas Field Organizer for Sierra Club:
“This solar farm checks all the boxes for benefitting Douglas County, including helping our environment. This project will use agrivoltaics, a method of installing solar panels to coexist with crop production, preserving prime farmland for future generations while avoiding the use of eminent domain. Kansas has much more potential to develop affordable and reliable renewable energy while bringing thousands of good new jobs to the state. We urge the board to do what's best for Douglas County residents and approve the solar farm.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.