In my annual land use regulation update to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Conference last week in Greensboro, I posted an update on current plans renewable energy buildout. I also highlighted a project partnership between Cooperative Extension and the NC State University Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) to help communities understand and plan for the impact of these energy-resource developments. As part of that effort, there will be a community meeting in Person County on Thursday January 23.

The location: Piedmont Community College
1715 College Drive, Roxboro, NC
Auditorium in Building D

The purpose of the meeting is to gather community views and concerns on the impact of utility-scale solar development in the Duplin County area. The meeting is part of a U.S. Department of Energy-funded project to establish the Carolina's Renewable Energy Development Assistance and Siting Hub (DASH). Interested community members are invited to attend. The meeting runs from 6pm to 7:15pm.

The Person and other community meetings are important listening sessions which will guide project collaborators in developing research-based resources for community members and county governments as they address various expressed concerns regarding utility-scale solar development and its impact. Given the relative lack of information on potential impacts, some counties are opting to pass moratoria (i.e. temporary bans) on awarding zoning permits to new solar development. For example, Davidson County imposed a 24-month moratorium on new permits on December 17, 2024. Other counties are having similar discussions and hearings.

In regards to current plans for continuing build-out of solar, on-shore wind and battery storage facilities, the North Carolina Utilities Commission - in the 2025 NC Carbon Plan - recently approved Duke Energy's renewable energy purchase targets. These are:

• Solar: 3,460 megawatts (MW) of new solar generation, 6,700 MW total by 2031
• Battery: 1,100 MW of battery energy storage, 2,700 MW total by 2031
• Onshore Wind: 1,200 MW of onshore wind in operation by 2033, including at least 300 MW in operation by 2031

Though sources vary, 1 megawatt (MW) of solar-generated electricity requires between 5 and 9 acres of land surface, depending on various factors including topography, access, required buffers, etc. One key concern in some communities is that this acreage may impact land otherwise available for farming, with negative economic impact on the local community. Other concerns relate to decommissioning and waste management of retired panels, and impacts on soil quality. The Person and other community meetings are scheduled so project coordinators can hear and develop resources to address these concerns.

Also regarding the Cooperative Extension Conference, a big thank you to those agents, specialists and county directors who dropped by to speak with my project partners Anna Weitz and Justin Lindeman of NCCETC at their N.C. Cooperative Extension Conference table last week in Greensboro! The Center's Director - Steve Kalland - was also able to attend the conference. They reported some great conversations with attendees, and are looking forward to further collaboration over this three year project.

The current schedule of community meetings is:

• January 23, 2025, Roxboro, NC 27573, at the Piedmont Community College in the Auditorium (Building D), 1715 College Drive, Roxboro, NC
• February 6, 2025, Warrenton, NC 27589, at the Warren County Armory Civic Center (Room A) Warren County Amory Civic Center - Room A - 501 US Hwy 158 Bus E, Warrenton, NC 27589
• February 20, 2025, Bolivia, NC (Brunswick County), Extension Center - 25 Referendum Dr NE, Bolivia, NC 28422
• *February 24, 2025, Hertford, NC 27944, at the Albemarle Commission, 512 South Church Street Hertford, NC 27944
• *February 25, 2025, Edenton, NC 27932, in the Culinary Arts building at the College of the Albemarle - Edenton-Chowan, 118 Blades St, Edenton, NC 27932
• March 20, 2025, Laurinburg, NC 28352, in the Media Center at Scotland High School, 1000 W Church St, Laurinburg, NC 28352
• April 15, 2025, Rockingham, NC 28380, at the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Richmond County Center, N.C. Cooperative Extension,Richmond County Center, 123 Caroline St., Rockingham, NC 28380